Analysis of the resolutions of Belo Horizonte's Municipal Health Council between 1991-2010

The scope of this study is to observe how the relationship between participative and representative democracy in Belo Horizonte's Municipal Health Council (Conselho Municipal de Saúde de Belo Horizonte - CMS/BH) has been developing since its foundation in 1991 through to 2010. The methodology applied involved the analysis of approvals and vetoes from the Executive power regarding the council's resolutions, with special emphasis on the period between 1997 and 2008. The data were collected from the Resolutions Archive and from the CMS/BH webpage. The results were related to each mayor's term and to the segment of the council's presidents. The results show that only one resolution was vetoed by the Executive power, however 26% of the resolutions do not show any record of ratification, whereby 41% of these faced opposition from the authorities in the voting process. It is hoped that the reality presented may lead to reflections regarding the exercise of power, encouraging the council members to effectively build participative democracy in this space.