Romanian Govt To Seek Confidence Vote On Administrative Reorganization Act

The government's proposal is to reorganize the country into eight counties, from the current 41. According to Oltean, this new system would improve European Union fund absorption and increase the efficiency with which these funds are used. He pointed out that the EU has not explicitly asked Romania to implement a new territorial organization.

The new counties would have their capitals at Cluj-Napoca, Brasov, Timisoara, Craiova, Constanta, Iasi, Ploiesti and Bucharest. The ministries' decentralized services would have eight local offices, instead of 41, bringing the authorities closer to the citizen, according to Oltean. He added that many matters handled by these services and by the county councils would be transferred to commune, town and city halls.

Oltean added that the ruling coalition wants the 2012 local elections to use the eight-county administrative organization.

Asked why the government has not held a public referendum or a survey on the issue, Oltean replied that they would block or delay reform.

If you liked this story, please follow MEDIAFAX.RO on FACEBOOK »

The content of mediafax.ro is for your information only. Republishing or using this content is forbidden without express consent of MEDIAFAX. For this consent, please ask for it by mail at vanzari@mediafax.ro.