Prime Minister Vasile Tofan said that the concept of reorganizing second-tier local public administration has one essential goal: creating stronger municipalities that receive development support from the regions, TRIBUNA reports.

“Local power does not need intermediaries—it should be in the hands of mayors. We are building a more efficient state, with a smaller second tier, less bureaucracy, fewer intermediaries and lower costs. The expenses previously used to administer the districts will be redirected toward the needs of communities,” he emphasized.

The official said that the 32 districts will be reorganized into three regions and the municipality of Taraclia. The municipalities of Chișinău and Bălți will retain their current status, while the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia will retain its special status.

“1. We will have fewer regions—instead of 32 regional administrations, there will be three regions: North, Centre and South. The current Taraclia district will become the second-tier municipality of Taraclia.

2. Fewer responsibilities at the second tier—the regions’ mandate will be to support regional development and cooperation among mayors’ offices. Services previously managed by the districts will be distributed among mayors’ offices or territorial structures of central authorities, such as social assistance and education.

3. Fewer civil servants and less bureaucracy at the second tier—we want compact, professional teams in which each person can deliver more and better.

4. We are creating stronger mayors’ offices. Mayors’ offices will not lose anything; on the contrary, they will gain resources, powers and management of assets and will be part of a region with a coordination role that can attract development funding. Services will not disappear; on the contrary, public service counters, essential services and the documents people need will remain in local communities. Regions will not provide public services—these will be provided by mayors’ offices, territorial structures of central public administration and competent operators,” Vasile Tofan said.