Minister encourages communes to merge before being forced

Minister Desquesnes is actively encouraging local communes to consider merging voluntarily, presenting it as a proactive measure to adapt to impending administrative reforms. The minister's push suggests a belief that consolidation can better position these entities for future changes.

The core of the reform involves a significant shift in how provincial services are managed. The plan aims to centralize these services, effectively removing them from the direct purview of individual communes. This move implies a restructuring of local governance, potentially leading to greater efficiency or a different distribution of responsibilities.

By advocating for mergers, Desquesnes appears to be guiding communes toward a model that aligns with the government's vision for provincial administration. The underlying message is that embracing change proactively, through voluntary mergers, might offer communes more control over the process and its outcomes compared to waiting for the reforms to mandate specific structures.