Conflict or Cooperation? Political Relations between Governors and Mayors in Major Cities in Argentina

Abstract

This article explores the nature of the relations between the governors and the mayors of major cities in Argentina. The vast majority of the literature assumes that municipal governments in Argentina are weak, and that mayors therefore align with the provincial authorities. This study argues that there is more diversity in the relations between officials of both levels, and that, in some cases, these relations are openly contentious. Four ideal types of relations are identified, based on political affiliation and type of relation, through the systematisation of 43 cases of major Argentine cities.

Mudding the playing field. Fiscal contributions to municipalities as a political construction

“…Furthermore, in the Argentine political landscape, social transfers play a crucial role, and mayors serve as the linchpin at the local level. In recent times, Argentine mayors have significantly strengthened their political influence (Došek & Varetto, 2020) due to the increased decentralization and territorialization of the political landscape (Eryszewicz, 2015). This localization of politics has elevated mayors to the status of pivotal political actors, primarily owing to their close connections with the electorate.…”

“…This localization of politics has elevated mayors to the status of pivotal political actors, primarily owing to their close connections with the electorate. According to some scholars as Cravacuore (2016) or Došek and Varetto (2020), this localized trend in Argentina emphasizes a more technical discourse, a reduced emphasis on ideology, and a stronger focus on connecting with voters. These characteristics are often found in politically alienated countries, such as post‐2001 Argentina.…”

“…Transferring funds to the former, the President assists partisan aligned mayors who might be receiving fewer political funds because of a parallel “punishment” taking place by the governor toward opposition local governments. Recent studies have underscored the existence of explicit challenges from mayors toward their governors, becoming provincial opposition members (Došek & Varetto, 2020; Olmeda & Suarez‐Cao, 2017). Furthermore, by encroaching on an opponent governor's province, the executive strengthens the national ruling party.…”