concejal

Concejal is a political office in many Spanish-speaking countries, referring to a member of a municipal council. The term comes from concejo, meaning a council or deliberative body. A concejal is typically elected to represent a district or the residents of a municipality and participates in local legislation and oversight.

Role and duties: Concejales participate in council sessions, debate and vote on ordinances, budgets, urban planning, public services, and other matters affecting the municipality. They may serve on commissions or committees, submit proposals, and oversee the actions of the municipal executive (such as the mayor or alcalde). In many jurisdictions they also scrutinize public contracts, monitor service delivery, and respond to constituent concerns. Their authority is generally limited to the local level and shared with the elected head of the municipality.

Election and context: The number of concejales and the method of selection vary by country and municipality. In most places they are elected through local elections, often with seats allocated by party lists or proportional representation, and terms are typically several years. Concejales may be affiliated with political parties or stand as independents. In some systems the mayor is chosen by the council from among its members, while in others the mayor or alcaldes are elected directly by the voters.

Related terms: Similar roles exist in other Spanish-speaking jurisdictions under different titles, such as regidor or concejala, depending on country and gender. The concept generally corresponds to the legislative branch of a local government.