Republic of Moldova accelerates administrative reform: 500 municipalities complete voluntary amalgamation, while the Government allocates MDL 6.5 billion for development

Approximately 500 municipalities in the Republic of Moldova, representing nearly 60% of the total, have adopted final decisions on voluntary amalgamation.

The figures were presented by the Secretary General of the Government, Alexei Buzu, in the context of the local public administration reform launched in 2026.

The Republic of Moldova has around 890 municipalities, more than 87% of which have fewer than 3,000 inhabitants. Against this backdrop, the authorities are promoting administrative-territorial reorganization through voluntary amalgamation, with the aim of strengthening the capacity of local administrations.

Over MDL 6.5 billion for municipalities undergoing reorganization

For municipalities opting for voluntary amalgamation, the Government has prepared an incentive package worth more than MDL 6.5 billion. The funds will be used for projects aimed at improving local infrastructure and public services.

Priority areas include the expansion of water and sewerage networks, gas infrastructure and street lighting, the rehabilitation of local roads, the modernization of public transport and the digitalization of services. Waste management, the modernization of kindergartens and cultural centers, as well as local economic development projects, are also targeted.

Authorities call for stronger municipalities

Alexei Buzu argues that the amalgamation process must continue in order to strengthen local administrations and enable them to attract and manage large-scale development projects.

According to him, stronger municipalities have greater capacity to develop and implement development projects and provide quality public services. In the case of communities that have already completed the voluntary amalgamation process, the Government has begun preparing the incentives and development projects.

Deadline at the end of August

Municipalities that have initiated the voluntary amalgamation process have until the end of August to adopt the final decision. Subsequently, the authorities will establish the final number of municipalities that have completed the procedure and determine the groups of newly formed municipalities.

According to Government data, approximately 85% of municipalities have initiated the amalgamation process, representing around 761 local administrations. Among municipalities with fewer than 3,000 inhabitants, the share of those that have initiated the process stands at approximately 90%.

Preparations for normative amalgamation to begin in September

For municipalities that have opted for voluntary amalgamation, the next stage will involve developing projects eligible for the Government’s incentives.

At the same time, the authorities are preparing the legislative framework for normative amalgamation, namely the mandatory reorganization of local administrations that have not chosen the voluntary option. The Government intends to finalize the necessary legislative package in September and launch the parliamentary procedure.

Objective of the reform

The local public administration reform, launched at the beginning of 2026, aims to strengthen the administrative capacity of municipalities, improve the efficiency of public services and create local administrations capable of managing larger-scale development projects.

Amalgamation is presented by the authorities as a mechanism through which small communities can gain access to additional resources and investments within stronger local administrations.