Bucharest district mayor backs voluntary merger option in administrative reform

Sector 3 Mayor Robert Negoiță has expressed strong support for the administrative-territorial reform proposed by the Social Democratic Party (PSD), despite discontent among some PSD mayors. Speaking on Digi24's “În fața ta” programme on Sunday, he described Romania as “the least reformed country in Europe” and welcomed the initiative.

Negoiță said that any reform should be based on clear and transparent criteria, not just population thresholds. He pointed out that mountainous areas with five villages may not reach 5,000 inhabitants but still justify a separate administrative unit due to distance and geography.

When asked to choose between two PSD proposals – the voluntary merger of small localities, put forward by the Development Minister, and the mandatory merger of communes under 3,000 residents and towns under 10,000, advanced by Dragoș Benea – Negoiță said he would opt for the voluntary approach. He explained that a voluntary scheme could work if the central government sets clear funding conditions: “You are local administration and you must self-determine. We won't interfere, on one condition: don't ask us for money anymore.”

The mayor also backed reducing the number of counties, arguing that transport links have improved dramatically over the past century. On whether constitutional changes would be needed, he expressed optimism, saying “when there is will, there is a way.”

Negoiță suggested that the PSD's shift towards reform may have been influenced by President Nicușor Dan. “My opinion is that it comes from the president,” he said, adding that he believes Dan “conditioned” the party rather than forced it, though he admitted he did not know the details of any such condition.

Finally, Negoiță warned that any reform involves difficult measures and should be accompanied by a reorganisation of public spending, not just tax increases.