---
title: "Moldova merges 561 mayoralties in major local government reform "
url: https://moldova1.md/p/84450/moldova-merges-561-mayoralties-in-major-local-government-reform
published: 2026-09-02T13:01:48Z
language: en
author: "Liubomir Guțu"
section: "Social"
source: moldova1.md
---

# Moldova merges 561 mayoralties in major local government reform 

> Nearly two-thirds of Moldova's local administrations completed voluntary mergers by the end of August, marking the first milestone in a nationwide territorial reform aimed at consolidating fragmented public services, officials said on Wednesday.

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/791ac6a6-463f-41eb-b7ce-02e87abbcea7.jpg)

Nearly two-thirds of Moldova's local administrations completed voluntary mergers by the end of August, marking the first milestone in a nationwide territorial reform aimed at consolidating fragmented public services, officials said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference, Alexei Buzu, Secretary General of the Government and head of the State Chancellery, announced that 561 out of 890 eligible local councils approved consolidation plans during the voluntary phase. Central authorities now plan to initiate mandatory statutory mergers in September for more than 250 remaining communities, reducing the total number of mayoralties from 892 to 292 after the 2027 local elections.

**Overcoming Administrative Fragmentation**

The government launched the overhaul to address structural budget deficits and inadequate public infrastructure across rural communities. Official data indicates that local public authorities generate only 11% of their spending from own-source revenues, while eight out of ten households without running water and sewage services are located in communes with fewer than 3,000 residents.

*“It is no coincidence that most families lacking access to water and sanitation are concentrated in these small mayoralties,”* Buzu said. *“This is not the fault of local mayors, but a systemic characteristic. Despite their efforts, they cannot deliver these essential services.”*

The reform exempts the country's two largest cities, the capital Chișinău and the northern hub of Bălți. Of the remaining 890 local administrations, 776 fall below the 3,000-resident threshold. In Moldova's autonomous southern region of Gagauzia, 15 of its 26 local councils do not meet that demographic baseline.

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/33e4d359-f13d-46f2-89e1-287e84d6cafd.jpg)

**Financial Incentives for Merged Communes**

To support the transition, the central government has allocated financial incentives totaling €224.2 million (approx. 4.5 billion MDL) across three phases: immediate preparatory funding, enhanced development grants, and post-merger operational support starting in 2028. Development grants have been tripled to approx. €150 (3,000 MDL) per resident, with disbursements scheduled to begin in January 2027.

The largest consolidation took place in Ungheni, a western municipality bordering Romania, where ten local councils merged to create a community of more than 42,000 residents. The newly formed municipality will receive €7.8 million (157 million MDL) to expand public transit networks, modern waste sorting facilities, and municipal water supply.

“In most of these communities, the state support represents between 55% and 65% of their estimated revenues for 2026,” Buzu said. Significant consolidations were also approved in Călărași, which secured €5.8 million, Rezina with €4.2 million, and Râșcani with €3.6 million.

**Statutory Mergers and Local Resistance**

A legislative package defining the updated two-tier territorial structure, administrative competencies, and final municipal boundaries will be submitted for public consultations and parliamentary approval this autumn. The government plans a one-year implementation period ahead of the 2027 municipal ballots.

*“These consolidated mayoralties will be far better positioned to absorb EU pre-accession funds and deliver standard public utilities,”* Buzu stated.

However, the initiative faces pushback from rural representatives. The Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova (CALM) recently warned in a formal petition that central authorities are imposing mandatory mergers without adequate community consultation, while expressing concern over long-term funding guarantees for rural districts absorbed into larger administrative centers.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/c8385937-15aa-4da3-b502-84d463b19e76.jpg)

**READ ALSO:**

* [Mayors' congress accuses Moldova government of illegal pressure over mergers](https://moldova1.md/p/81669/mayors-congress-accuses-moldova-government-of-illegal-pressure-over-mergers)
* [Moldova: 165 more town halls approve voluntary mergers](https://moldova1.md/p/81616/moldova-165-more-town-halls-approve-voluntary-mergers)
* [CALM urges Tofan Government to abolish districts](https://moldova1.md/p/81529/calm-urges-tofan-government-to-abolish-districts)
* [EU integration drives Moldova public admin overhaul](https://moldova1.md/p/74470/eu-integration-drives-moldova-public-admin-overhaul)
* [Local administration reform consultations underway; concept expected late March](https://moldova1.md/p/70452/local-administration-reform-consultations-underway-concept-expected-late-march)