So far, 451 decisions on voluntary amalgamation have been adopted, and the Government will provide all necessary support to the municipalities involved in this process, TRIBUNA reports.

One of the largest clusters has formed in Ungheni, where 10 municipalities are merging into a single municipality that will serve a population of 44,000 citizens. In Fălești, 8 municipalities will form a new municipality for more than 22,000 people, while in Rezina, 9 municipalities are merging, with a total of 17,000 residents.

“In 2026, the budget of Rezina Municipality is approximately 90 million lei, while the development incentives offered from the state budget to the 9 municipalities will exceed 85 million lei. In other words, amalgamation will bring additional resources equivalent to the entire annual budget,” emphasized the Secretary General of the Government, Alexei Buzu.

Recently, Budești Municipality also initiated the process of voluntary amalgamation with the villages of Bălțata and Cimișeni, in order to strengthen local administration and create more development opportunities for people. “We want to have a modern, efficient municipality that responds to citizens’ needs and contributes to a better quality of life. We want people to feel that they live in a locality where they can raise their children with confidence,” said the Mayor of Budești, Nina Costiuc.

The process of voluntary amalgamation begins at the local level – the initiative may come from the mayor, councilors, or citizens, by placing the subject on the agenda of the Local Council. After the proposal is launched, the targeted localities have 45 days to analyze it and decide whether to accept the merger. Then, a working group is formed, consisting of 2–3 representatives from each community, who will coordinate the next steps.

The voluntary amalgamation process has been simplified as an essential part of the local public administration reform. Localities that choose to unite their administrations can benefit from financial incentives of 3,000 lei per resident, multiplied by the population of the villages participating in the amalgamation. Another benefit of amalgamation is bringing public services closer to citizens. More than 600 services will be accessible through Unified Service Centers and the one-stop shop. In addition, each locality will have a representative of the mayor, so that the link between local administration and the community is maintained.

For informing citizens and local authorities, the platform primariiputernice.gov.md is available, bringing together useful information about the local public administration reform and practical tools – the amalgamator and the municipal budget.

“Larger municipalities mean stronger municipalities: better services, modernized infrastructure, and more resources for people. This reform must not be politicized. It must be supported. Mayors who have the courage to make important decisions for communities deserve our support,” declared the Secretary General of the Government, Alexei Buzu.