Politicians from different parliamentary parties have differing opinions concerning the necessity of doing the territorial-administrative reform before the local elections and of postponing these elections. Such opinions were stated in the talk show “Moldova live” on the public TV channel Moldova 1, IPN reports.
Liberal-Democratic MP Iurie Tap pleaded for the territorial-administrative reform, arguing the current system proved its inefficiency. “The reform envisions the territorial-administrative decentralization. It is a radical reform designed to reduce the costs and strengthen the local capacities so that the communities could ensure services of a high quality. There are a number of variants. The variant with one level envisions the creation of 111 municipalities. The variant with two levels provides that there will be created three regions with 289 mayor’s offices. This would reduce the administrative costs three times. This money could go on services. A working group will work during six months so that the decentralization and transfer of powers to the local public authorities lead to the reformation of the central public administration too,” he said.
Communist lawmaker Elena Bondarenko said she does not know the proposed models of territorial-administrative reform, but the party she represents rejects this reform from the start. “It is for the first time that I hear such details, but the Party of Communists does not support this reform, which wasn’t discussed with the population and the local public authorities. The people will be affected by this reform, which is hurried and will be done inefficiently,” she stated.
The first deputy chairman of the Liberal Party, Mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca pleaded for the decentralization of power, but said he is categorically against the postponement of the local elections. “We should learn from the experience of Western Europe. Such reforms start in the community. It is a very sensitive subject that should not be mingled with the local elections. Things cannot be done in such a hurry, while the local elections should be held on time. The airport and Banca de Economii were stolen. They want now to also steal people’s ballots. The people have a calendar and expect the local elections to take place once in four years. However, the date of the local elections should be chosen correctly so that the elections are not held during leave or vacations,” he stated.
