adevarul.ro/politica/reforma-administratiei-locale

The Romanian Minister of Development, Alexandru Stoica, announced plans to merge 429 localities by 2028, focusing on those with low populations. The initiative aims to address financial sustainability issues in small municipalities. Initially, voluntary mergers will be encouraged through fiscal incentives, while mandatory mergers may occur without local referendums. The proposed threshold for merging is set at 1,500 residents, but larger communities may also participate. Stoica supports mandatory mergers for small localities, although specific population thresholds are yet to be determined. The reform seeks to improve public service efficiency and access for residents in merged areas.