429 localities targeted for voluntary merger. The Minister of Development proposes incentives and protection for employees in the 429 localities concerned

Development Minister Alexandru Stoica announced that the authorities are preparing measures for the voluntary association and merger of 429 localities, particularly those with fewer than 1,500 residents. The statement was made after a meeting with representatives of the Association of Communes in Romania, during which the reorganization of local government was discussed.

The new element is that the Government intends to offer concrete incentives to communes that voluntarily agree to merge. The measures under consideration include investment programs and protection solutions for local government employees. To establish the details, the working group at central level is expected to be expanded to include representatives of ACoR.

According to the minister, the reform would be implemented in two stages. The first stage involves voluntary mergers by March 1, 2027. Localities that agree to reorganize by this deadline could benefit from investment funding. Subsequently, the Government is expected to take a second step, which could include merging localities that have not undertaken the process voluntarily.

Alexandru Stoica says the state could save approximately 250 million lei annually. In the merged localities, at least one civil servant would remain in an office designated to handle citizens' requests. The process could also include local referendums.

The minister says the objective is not merely to reduce the number of town halls, but to create stronger local administrations, with qualified staff, modern public services, and sufficient resources for development.