I support the idea of ​​a more flexible, more efficient administration, with fewer UATs, through the administrative-territorial reorganization of Romania. “I believe that administrative-territorial reorganization and regionalization could contribute to the strengthening of administrative capacity at the local level and the development of long-term strategic projects,” Minister of Development, Public Works and Administration Adrian Vestea said at the conference on Monday. on financial education was held at the headquarters of the BNR.

The idea of ​​reorganization is not new, only the approaches differ. Back in 2011, former president Traian Basescu claimed that “41 counties should be abolished, Romania should be divided into 8 large regions.” From USL, PSD to Dacian Cioloş or PNL, parliamentarians referred to the need for territorial reorganization.

“A citizen who is better prepared from a financial point of view can put more pressure on the local public administration to spend money correctly and efficiently,” Westea also said on Monday. In large cities, the minister also claims, where it is easier for the population to get quality general education, they better fulfill the budget.

We are probably poorer today precisely because financial education didn’t matter much, and more disturbingly, I notice that even basic general education doesn’t matter anymore, Westea also said.

Reasoned debate on administrative reorganization is welcome in the public space, says Professor Dumitru Sandu in an analysis on territorial reorganization.

Here’s what else Adrian Vestea, Minister for Development, Public Works and Administration, said on Monday:

• We face a serious gap in the fundamental understanding of financial concepts at the individual level, and this situation extends to local and national public authorities. Local administration is at the forefront of relations with citizens. They know the needs and challenges of the communities they represent. But in order for them to respond adequately to these needs, it is important that financial resources are managed efficiently and responsibly.

• In our country, there are about 200 small towns and about 1,200 communes that face significant financial pressure. They are forced to turn to the state budget to be able to cope with operating costs due to insufficient local revenues. In other words, they spend more than they produce and add to their problems in an already unwieldy government.

• In more than half of the local self-government bodies, revenues do not even cover salary expenses. This is a sign that many of our communities are struggling to stay afloat. The situation is not necessarily better even in municipalities that are not district centers, as at least 56 out of 62 municipalities face the same financial problems. District municipalities seem to have a more stable financial situation.

• Out of 40, only nine need financial support to balance their budget. Against the background of rising prices for communal services and materials, local government bodies are sometimes not able to ensure the functioning of specialized apparatus, sub-departmental state services with funding of non-recourse financing projects, with non-recourse financing. funding or with funding from state-wide programs and payment of certain expenses established by court decisions.