Regidors

Regidors, or regidores, are municipal officials who serve as members of a city or town council in many Iberian and Latin American contexts. The term comes from Latin roots meaning to rule or govern and historically referred to local magistrates or elders entrusted with administering a municipality.

Historically, regidores formed part of the executive and sometimes judicial apparatus of a town. In medieval and early modern Iberia, they sat on the concejo or ayuntamiento, overseeing public affairs, markets, taxation, public works, and the administration of justice within the municipality. Their number and exact powers varied by place and period, and they often acted alongside a mayor or chairman who presided over meetings and represented the town.

In contemporary usage, regidor is the title for a member of the municipal council in many Spanish-speaking regions and in Catalonia, where the term regidor (male) or regidora (female) is commonly used. Regidores are elected in municipal elections and form part of the city council, or pleno, where they draft and debate ordinances, approve budgets, and oversee local administration. They may also head or participate in commissions responsible for specific policy areas, such as urban planning, public safety, or social services. The mayor (alcalde or alcaldessa) remains the executive head, while regidores are primarily legislators and oversight figures within the municipality.

The role and responsibilities of regidors can differ by country and region, reflecting local constitutional arrangements and traditions. They remain a key element of local governance, linking residents to municipal decision-making.