Chisinau Mayor Ion Ceban met with Anne Hidalgo during a visit to London, where they discussed ongoing projects in the Moldovan capital, as well as the political situation and reform agenda in the Republic of Moldova.
According to Ceban, the talks also focused on what he described as growing pressure on the Congress of Local Authorities from Moldova (CALM).
“I referred to the unprecedented pressure being exerted on the Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova, including major obstacles, attempts to discredit it, and even efforts to dismantle a structure that has worked for years in the interests of local public administrations and citizens,” Ceban said.
The mayor also criticized the government’s proposed local public administration reform, arguing that authorities are promoting it despite opposition from mayors. He said any major administrative reorganization, including changes affecting the structure of local governments, should be decided through a referendum.
Ceban also voiced concerns about the government’s fiscal reform plans and education policies.
“We discussed the fiscal reform proposed by the government, which will lead to the destruction of the country’s economy, impoverishment of the population, and increased migration, while also placing a huge financial burden on local public administrations. I also raised the issue of the government’s attack on schools and its attempts to take control of them for political purposes, without presenting a clear vision for their modernisation, while dozens of educational institutions have been closed in recent years,” he said.
Anne Hidalgo currently serves as an ambassador for the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM).