Moldova proposes replacing 32 districts with three administrative regions

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan has presented a new concept for the reorganization of local public administration in the Republic of Moldova. The proposal seeks to replace the current 32 districts (raioane) with three large administrative regions: North, Center, and South.

The North region will consist of 11 districts with its administrative seat in Bălți, though the municipality of Bălți itself will maintain a special status and not be part of the region. The Center region will include 13 districts with its seat in Chișinău, while the municipality of Chișinău will also retain special status. The South region will be formed from 7 districts, with its administrative seat located in Cahul.

Under this plan, district councils will be abolished. Instead, regional councils will be established, and regional leaders—a president and vice-president—will be elected by these councilors. The reform aims to empower local mayors and direct funds previously used for district administration toward community needs. Special statuses will be maintained for the municipalities of Chișinău and Bălți, as well as the Gagauzia Autonomous Territorial Unit. Additionally, the Taraclia district is slated to be reorganized into a second-level municipality.