alba24.ro/noul-ministrul-al-dezvoltarii-anunt-desp

The new Minister of Development, Alexandru Stoica, announced plans for the consolidation of municipalities in Romania, particularly affecting Alba County, where 29 communes have populations below 1,500. The reform aims to encourage voluntary mergers through local referendums and financial incentives, but mandatory consolidations may also occur for financially unsustainable local administrations. The proposed changes could impact local governance and public services, with potential tax relief for residents of merging communes. The goal is to implement these reforms by the 2028 local elections, although specific criteria and procedures are yet to be established.