Round table on the new law “On the organization and functioning of local government”

The PLGP/USAID program, in cooperation with DLDP, held on March 9th in the facilities of Mondial Hotel a consultative table attended from a wide audience comprised by chairmen of municipalities, partners of PLGP/USAID and DLDP programs, the representative of the State Minister on Local Issues, NGO representatives from AAM, AAC and AALA, USAID representatives, as well as members of the work group that was established to prepare the new law.

The meeting aimed at extracting thoughts from chairmen of municipalities and other attendees pertaining issues emanating from the current law “On the organization and functioning of local government”, offering a chance for dialogue between mayors in relation with the need of approving the new law, sharing and discussing the methodology used in the preparation of the law as well as extracting thoughts pertaining the vision, principles, aims, functions, structures, etc. of the law.

In the meeting it was presented the process initiated by the group of

experts on the preparation of the new organic law as well as a work plan containing the main steps of the amendment of the law.

After the presentation of problems identified with the implementation of the current law on organization and functioning of local government, the participants discussed the need to include a series of clauses in the new organic law. One of the main issues addressed by the participants was that of financial resources of LGUs, which should be in accordance with functions of the local government. Decentralization aims the strengthening of local governance, but on the other hand the central government must foresee instruments needed for the local government to raise sufficient income to perform its functions.

The way to establish functions was another issue discussed. It was considered necessary that the law foresees a clear path on how to clarify the functions of local government.

DLDP will contribute in the process of preparing the new organic law through continuous cooperation with PLGP/USAID program, which runs the process. Also, DLDP aims to engage the round table of partner LGU mayors to issue recommendations on the content of the new organic law. The involvement of the international expertise is viewed by DLDP as an added value to the process of drafting the law, aiming mainly the acquiring of principles to distribute functions as well as the methodology to implement these principles. Another important element through which the DLDP aims to contribute to the process, will be the “Open Parliament” project, which will strive to make possible consultations for the new organic law on a local level, including members of parliament, local actors, as well as local and national media.