Moldova discusses administrative reform and regional reorganization

Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan met with the Board of Directors of the Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova (CALM) to discuss administrative reforms aimed at preparing the country for European Union integration. Tofan emphasized the need to reduce administrative fragmentation through voluntary amalgamation, noting that current small municipalities lack the capacity to access EU structural funds and grants.

The Prime Minister proposed reorganizing public administration at the regional level by transitioning from 32 districts to three larger regions. This move is intended to reduce administrative costs, transfer more competencies to local communities, and strengthen local autonomy.

During the meeting, Valentina Casian, Mayor of Strășeni and Vice President of CALM, stressed that territorial reform must be accompanied by a real reform of local public finances. She advocated for increasing local revenues by raising the share of personal income tax and allocating a portion of corporate income tax to local budgets to ensure financial autonomy.