Deep Dive: Honduras Liberal Congresswoman Alia Kafati Proposes Reducing Deputies from 128 to 82

The proposal by Liberal deputy Alia Kafati targets a reduction in the National Congress of Honduras (the country's unicameral legislature established under the 1982 Constitution) from 128 to 82 deputies. This body, elected every four years, holds authority to pass laws, approve budgets, and oversee the executive under Article 197 of the Constitution. Precedents for size adjustments exist in constitutional reforms, such as the 2012 changes that altered term lengths and other structures, requiring a two-thirds majority for approval. Institutionally, the Congress operates with deputies allocated by department based on population, currently totaling 128 seats since the last apportionment. Kafati's initiative, as a formal proposal, enters the legislative process through committee review in the Chamber's plenary, potentially leading to a constitutional amendment bill. This follows standard procedures where individual deputies can introduce bills under congressional rules of order. Concrete consequences include altered representation ratios, with fewer seats potentially consolidating power among larger departments while reducing overall legislative payroll costs. Governance structures would see streamlined debates and voting, impacting quorum requirements and committee compositions. For citizens, this affects how legislative priorities are debated, with 46 fewer deputies influencing lawmaking on national budgets and policies. Outlook depends on cross-party support, given the Liberal Party's opposition status; passage would necessitate supermajorities and possible referenda per constitutional amendment protocols. Stakeholders include voters in underrepresented areas facing diluted voices and taxpayers benefiting from fiscal savings estimated in millions annually based on deputy salaries.