Transitional aspects of local autonomy in the context of public administration reform in the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Local autonomy is part of the defining principles in the context of the transition of Moldovan society to a new state model. The national priorities, but also the European aspirations of the country determine the implementation of public administration reforms. The purpose of this article is to identify the stages of transition of local autonomy between 1990 - 2020. The study is based on the legal dimension of local autonomy and the institutional framework. The analysis of the legal framework reveals shortcomings, in particular, in terms of financial autonomy and the distribution of competencies between local government layers. The administrative reform has made progress in terms of central administration, but at the local level the reform of the administrative-territorial organization, which should provide a favourable framework for the manifestation of local autonomy, is the main backwardness. The current institutional system does not allow an adequate exercise of local autonomy, in accordance to the provisions of the European Charter of Local Self-Government. Previous attempts of reforming highlight a number of lessons learned, and good practices. The strategic framework for administrative reform has expired in 2020, now is the right time to plan and take on integrated actions to modernize local government.