Diputación

Diputación is a term used in Spanish-speaking contexts to designate the provincial or regional governance body that manages matters of provincial scope and coordinates municipalities within a province. In Spain, the Diputación Provincial is the elected, collective government of a province, serving as the intermediary between municipal councils and higher levels of government. It is composed of diputados, representatives chosen by the municipalities of the province; the number of deputies depends on the province's size and population. The body is presided by a presidente, selected from among its members by the Diputación.

The Diputación's main responsibilities include coordinating and supervising municipal administration on provincial matters, managing services and infrastructures that exceed the capacity of a single town, such as the road network, public housing, waste management, cultural institutions, and social services. It also administers provincial budgets and distributes funds to municipalities through agreements and planning instruments, while acting as a liaison with the autonomous community and the central government.

Historically, the system dates to the 19th century, established to organize provincial administration in the newly drawn territories. Throughout Spain, the structure has variants: in some territories, such as the Basque Country and Navarre, similar bodies operate under historical terms like Diputación Foral or Diputación General, reflecting regional legal special arrangements.

In modern governance, the diputaciones provinciales operate under national and regional laws that define their powers, finances, and electoral rules, remaining focused on services, development, and coordination at the provincial level rather than on legislative matters.