The 32 districts of the country are expected to be replaced with three regions – North, Center and South. The proposal is part of the concept of reorganizing the second level local public administration presented on Thursday by the Government, reports IPN.
During a press conference, Prime Minister Vasile Tofan clarified that according to the new concept, Chisinau and Balti will maintain their current status, UTA Gagauzia will retain its special status, and Taraclia is set to be reorganized into a second-level municipality.
The North Region will encompass the territories of 11 districts and will have its administrative headquarters in Balti, without the municipality being part of the region. The Central Region will bring together 13 districts, with its headquarters in Chisinau, and the South Region – seven districts, with its headquarters in Cahul.
Vasile Tofan stated that the reform is based on four principles: fewer regions, fewer competencies at the second level, fewer officials and a strengthening of the municipalities. The regions are expected to mainly deal with strategy, coordination, regional development and projects that exceed the capacity of a single locality. “The region is not coming to lead the municipality. The region must help the municipality do those things that the municipality would not be able to do on its own”, explained the Prime Minister.
According to the Secretary General of the Government, Alexei Buzu, after the reorganization of the town halls, their number is expected to decrease from 306 to 81 in the North region, from 349 to 96 in the Center, and from 165 to 48 in the South. In this context, the authorities maintain that the town halls will have more responsibilities, assets and decision-making capacity.
Alexei Buzu stated that the new regional structure is expected to contribute, among other things, to the preparation of regional development projects, in the context of European funding available for the Republic of Moldova.
The government is set to prepare the legislative package and a transition plan. Authorities have scheduled a discussion with the district presidents and mayors of the capital cities for Thursday, in order to present the proposals and gather their opinions.
