The criticism aimed by the leader of the PCRM at the decentralization reform represents political propaganda and has nothing to do with reality, decentralization expert Mihai Roscovan stated for Info-Prim Neo, when asked to comment on the statements made by Vladimir Voronin on April 27. According to Mihai Roscovan, the national decentralization strategy does not envision closing mayors’ offices, hospitals and schools, as Vladimir Voronin asserted. “The strategy does not say that the settlements with a population of under 5,000 people will be liquidated. It only says that the settlements with over 5,000 people have better prospects of economic growth and can provide local public services of a better quality,” said Mihai Roscovan. According to the expert, the strategy says that 30% of the mayors’ offices are in settlements with a smaller population and this is a problem for Moldova. “The decentralization reform was mentioned in a number of documents approved by the Communists. The difference is that the Communist administration did nothing, while the current administration started to implement the legislation in the field,” said Mihai Roscovan. In a news conference on April 27, Vladimir Voronin harshly criticized the decentralization program promoted by the Government. According to him, at least 280 mayors' offices will be liquidated if the program is carried out. Schools and hospitals will be closed afterward. He also said that the Alliance for European Integration will start to implement the national decentralization strategy after the June 5 local elections.