A note on Bolivia's prefectures

01.10.2006

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A series of articles in today's La Razón focus on the relationship between prefects & municipal governments. One piece discusses the precarious balance between prefects & departmental councils (Consejo Departamental). I mistakenly assumed that there was no departmental legislative body, since previously the departmental council has played a limited role in political decision-making.

According to the 1995 Administrative Decentralization Law — part of a package of reforms by the first Goni government (1993-1997) which also introduced municipal elections & governments — stipulated a Departmental Council, comprised of the department's municipal councilmembers (all those elected in municipal elections). Formally, this body is meant to advise the prefect & approve his decisions. Until now, prefects were appointed by the executive, rather than by popular election. Thus, the statute was mainly used to coordinate department-wide policy implementation between the central & local governments.

My worries that directly elected prefects wouldn't be checked by any other regional political body seem unfounded. Instead, it seems that the Departmental Council will begin to act more like a regional legislative assembly (while individual members must still, of course, retain their functions as members of local municipal councils). If so, this is good news, since it would present a system of checks & balances, as well as give broader representative legitimacy to the prefectures. It also, however, signals a de facto federalization of the country.

I still worry (as do other commentators) that the balance of power in the 1995 statute favors prefects. But my fears are much appeased. I'd much prefer a separate regional legislative body, with actual deliberative functions (by current law, all the council does is approve proposals made by prefects). Especially a body that wasn't split between duties to local government (what they were, in fact, elected to do) and work as a check on the prefect — which for many (mostly, rural) councilmembers will require travel to/from the departmental capital. Still, it's better than nothing.

The most recent municipal elections were held December 2004.

Posted by Miguel at 12:02 PM

Comments

does this mean municipal councilmembers will now have two jobs to do? municipal council work and departamental council work? will this compromise the amount of effective oversight they can really give the dept. prefects?

Posted by: mike d at January 10, 2006 12:12 PM

Mike:

Technically, the municipal councilmembers have already been pulling double duty. But now, w/ elected prefects more willing to venture into their own policy areas (often at odds w/ the central government), this duty will be more meaningful. As you noticed, this can be problematic. I'd much prefer that there were a separate body whose sole purpose was to act as a regional legislature. I do think this will affect the body's oversight of prefects, just not yet sure what kind of effect.

Posted by: mcentellas [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 10, 2006 05:36 PM