The Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova calls for the cessation of the normative amalgamation procedure of localities and the effective consultation of communities, arguing that reorganization cannot be done without respecting local autonomy and the rule of law. In a response to IPN, government representatives assert that the stages of reform have been announced and consulted previously, and now the executive is only preparing and proposing the reorganization, with the final decision to be made by Parliament.
In an appeal addressed to the country’s leadership, CALM asserts that several town halls have received notifications regarding the composition of future administrative-territorial units and the deadlines by which they must comply. The organization states that this includes localities that have already voluntarily amalgamated, but also those which, according to the organization, would not be obliged to participate in the process, as they have over three thousand inhabitants.
CALM urges authorities to halt procedures and engage in genuine dialogue with local public authorities. The organization also calls for the consultation of the population in all targeted localities and the assessment of the impact of the reorganization before determining the composition of future administrative-territorial units.
According to CALM, the process must take into account the administrative and financial capacity of each community. The organization also invokes the need for human, financial, and material resources for the localities that would take on new responsibilities and proposes the analysis of alternatives, including intercommunity cooperation, for the management of public services.
In the response provided to IPN, the Government representatives specify that the executive has publicly communicated about both stages of the local public administration reform: voluntary amalgamation and the normative stage. According to them, the criteria of the process were publicly presented, and the mayors and local elected officials were informed and consulted.
The government further explains that the preparation of the reform falls within its responsibilities. The Executive can analyze the existing situation, assess the administrative capacity of localities, identify solutions and draft the legislative proposal. However, the organization of local administration and territory is established by organic law, and the final legal decision belongs to the legislature.
According to the Government, consultations with mayors, local elected officials and communities will continue. The Executive maintains that the objective of the reform is to strengthen the capacity of local public administration and ensure better public services for citizens.
