Neuquén's City Council approved a proposal to put a 20-seat cap to a popular vote. The Mariano Gaido administration secured 13 votes, and residents will ratify or reject the change in the 2027 municipal elections. The next council will rise from 18 to 20 members; the question is whether that number becomes permanent.
The current charter links the number of councilors to population, up to 30. Rapid demographic growth could trigger further increases. The government wants to amend Article 53 and stop expansion, arguing that a larger chamber raises political costs without necessarily adding new voices.
Supporters note that the council already contains 12 blocs and considerable plurality. They argue that D'Hondt allocation and a 3% legal threshold preserve party representation, while extra seats would mainly benefit large forces. Savings would supposedly be redirected to works and services.
Critics say cost-cutting focuses on the legislature while avoiding a broader review of the executive, decentralized bodies or the ombudsman. Daniel Figueroa cited per-councilor spending comparisons with other cities, but those calculations require consistent methodology because institutional functions differ.
Representation is another concern. With population growth, a fixed number increases residents per councilor and may raise the effective barrier for small parties. Even with D'Hondt unchanged, seat magnitude affects proportionality. The issue is not only cost but political and territorial diversity.
Some members argue that such a change belongs in a constitutional convention rather than a single amendment. A comprehensive reform could review the council, oversight bodies, participation and executive-legislative relations. The government chose a faster, more focused consultation.
A referendum provides democratic legitimacy, but decision quality depends on information. Voters should see the marginal cost of seats, population forecasts, proportionality effects and alternatives. A campaign reduced to “less politics” versus “less representation” would oversimplify the choice.
The next step is drafting the question and voter information. Approval would create a permanent 20-member council despite growth; rejection would preserve charter-based expansion. The result will define Neuquén's balance between austerity, plurality and democratic control.
