The general situation in the field of local self-government and decentralization in Moldova last year didn’t see essential progress, with small exceptions, shows a monitoring report compiled by the Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova (CALM) and the Institute for Development and Social Initiative “Viitorul”, IPN reports.

The report authors said that instead of decentralization, there are seen accentuated financial centralization tendencies and the local authorities’ increasing dependence on the central authorities. The share of own revenues in the local budgets as a main indicator of the decentralization and local self-government level is constantly decreasing.

One of the authors Viorel Furdui, CALM executive director, said the structure of the own revenues of the local authorities does not meet the policy documents and commitments in the field of decentralization and consolidation of local self-government. The most important income sources in the state are concentrated at the central level and the own revenues of local authorities are replaced with transfers of a special purpose.

The organization and remuneration system of the local public authorities is another area of local democracy that witnesses shortcomings. This remains discriminatory, disproportional, humiliating and contrary to the constitutional and legal framework on local self-government. The situation started to generate huge problems in the provision of qualified staff and risks becoming a factor that will block not only activity at the local level, but also the implementation of any governmental programs at the local level.

According to the report, the excessive administrative control over the local public authorities is another chronic shortcoming that affects the activity of the local authorities and in parts turns into full political control. Viorel Furdui noted the legal system in relation to the local elected officials last year showed its outdated, oppressive and abusive character, with elements of a totalitarian and inhuman past.

The report authors concluded that the territorial-administrative reform remains a controversial subject that is fully non-transparent, including for some of the main players.