Mayor 101146 222144106 2008-06-27T19:40:12Z C mon 424181 /* Netherlands */ typo {{Executive}} A '''mayor''' (from the [[Latin]] ''māior'', meaning "greater") is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a [[municipality|municipal]] government. In many systems, the mayor is an elected [[politician]] who serves as [[chief executive]] and/or ceremonial official of many types of [[municipality|municipalities]]. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor, as well as the means by which a mayor is elected or otherwise mandated. ==History== The word derives from Latin ''major'' ("major", "greater") which developed like such terms as ''senior'' ("elder") to mean (in) chief. In spite of its Latin [[etymology]], "mayor" was not a [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] office, as Roman ''municipia'' were rather governed by [[collegial]] magistrates bearing various titles, such as "[[Consul]]" or various terms expressing their number (e.g. [[duumvir]], two), or even titles of pre-Roman local origin. Among the nations which arose on the ruins of the Roman empire of the West, and which made use of the Latin spoken by their "Roman" subjects as their official and legal language, ''maior'' (and, in some contexts, the rarer Low-Latin feminine ''maiorissa'') were found to be very convenient terms to describe important officials of both sexes who had the superintendence of others. Any female servant or slave in the household of a barbarian whose business was to oversee other female servants or slaves, would be quite naturally called a maiorissa. The male or female officer who governed a king's household (and was often the de facto [[head of government]]) was the ''major domus'', and tended to make his office hereditary. At the courts of the various realms (resulting from dynastic divisions and unions) of the Frankish kings of the Merovingian line, the major domus, generally known as the "[[mayor of the palace]]", also variously known as the ''[[gubernator]] ('helmsman'; the root of [[Governor]]), [[rector]] (also a gubernatorial title), [[Moderator provinciae|moderator]] (idem) or [[praefectus palatii]],'' was so powerful that one of their number would evict his master and successfully reunite the realms which his heir [[Charlemagne]] would turn into the [[Holy Roman Empire]]. It came into use in the large entourages that followed the [[barbarian]] leaders who succeeded to the power of the [[Roman Emperor|Emperor of the West]]. The male officer who governed a [[monarch|king]]'s or [[duke]]'s peripatetic household was the ''major domus'', the "[[major domo]]". In the households of the [[Merovingian]] [[Franks|Frankish]] kings, the major domus, or ''praefectus palatii'' ("prefect of the palace"), nominally a [[majordomo]] comparable to a British household's trusted [[butler]], became the de facto [[head of government]] and even tended to become semi-hereditary, gaining such power (compare an oriental [[Vizier]]) that, in the person of [[Pippin of Herstal]], he ended up evicting his master. He was the "mayor of the palace". ==Municipal mayoral types and titles== ===Anglo-Saxon mayors and counterparts=== [[Image:Lord Mayor of London's coronation robes.JPG|thumb|[[Lord Mayor]] of [[London]] in his coronation robes. (1821)]] In England,the mayor is the modern descendant of the feudal lord's bailiff or reeve (''see [[borough]]''). The [[chief magistrate]] of London bore the title of [[portreeve]] for considerably more than a century after the Conquest. This official was elected by popular choice, a privilege secured from King John. By the beginning of the ninth century the title of portreeve gave way to that of mayor as the designation of the chief officer of London. The adoption of the title by other boroughs followed at various intervals. In [[England]], [[Wales]], [[Northern Ireland]] and the [[USA]] a mayor is now the official head of a municipal government. In the 19th century, in the United Kingdom, the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1882]], section 15, regulated the election of mayors. He was to be a fit person elected annually on 9 November by the council of the borough from among the aldermen or councillors or persons qualified to be such. His term of office was one year, but he is eligible for re-election. He may appoint a deputy to act during illness or absence, and such deputy must be either an alderman or councillor. A mayor who was absent from the borough for more than two months becomes disqualified and vacates his office. A mayor was ''ex officio'' a justice of the peace for the borough during his year of office and the next year. He received such remuneration as the council thought reasonable. These provisions have now been repealed. The office of [[Mayors in the United Kingdom|mayor]] in most modern English boroughs and towns does not entail any important administrative duties. It is generally regarded as an honour conferred for local distinction, long service on the Council, or for past services. The mayor (who must be a serving elected [[councillor]]) is expected to devote much of his time to civic, ceremonial, and representational functions, and to preside over meetings which have for their object the advancement of the public welfare. His or her administrative duties are to act as returning officer at municipal elections, and as chairman of the meetings of the council. However, [[Local Government Act 2000|reforms]] recently introduced mean that 12 English boroughs now have [[Elected Mayors in the United Kingdom|directly-elected mayors]] who combine the 'civic' mayor role with that of Leader of the Council and have significantly greater powers than either. The mayor of a [[town council]] is officially known as ''town mayor'' (although in popular parlance, the word "town" is often dropped). Mayors are not appointed to District Councils which have not adopted the title of [[borough]]. Their place is taken by the Chairperson of Council, who undertakes exactly the same functions and is, like a Mayor, the civic head of the district concerned. ===Other counterparts=== In [[Germany]], [[Scandinavia]] and the [[Netherlands]] (see below) the chief town magistrate is called [[burgomaster]] 'Chief of the ''Bürger'' viz. ''burgers/citoyens'', i.e. Burgesses, citizens' (see that article [[German language|G.]] ''Bürgermeister'', [[Dutch language|Dutch]] ''burgemeester''; [[Danish language|Danish]] ''borgmester''; [[luxemburgish language|Luxemburgish]] ''buergermeeschter''; French-speaking parts of [[Belgium]] use ''bourgmestre''). The equivalent in [[Italy]] is ''sindaco'' (historical titles include [[podestà]]), in [[Greece]] δήμαρχος 'demarkhos' (the "[[archon]] of the [[deme]]"), in [[France]] ''Maire'', in [[Argentina]] ''[[intendente]]'', in [[Bohemia]] ''starosta'', in [[Brazil]] ''prefeito'' '[[prefect]]', in Romania [[primar]] and in [[Spain]] ''alcalde'', a term derived from a [[Moors|Moorish]] post's Arabic name. In [[Canada]] municipal titles vary from province, but the highest official of a [[First Nation]] community holds the title of ''chief''. In addition, provinces which have rural municipalities in place of counties refer to their head elected official as ''reeve'', although some such municipalities are now changing the title to mayor as well. In the early 20th century, and for the most still, the English method of selecting a mayor by the council was followed{{Fact|date=February 2007}}<!--In what sense ‘followed’?--> for the corresponding functionaries in France (except Paris) and the more important cities of Italy. Direct appointment by the central government exists in Belgium, The Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. As a rule, too, the term of office is longer in other countries than in the United Kingdom. In France election is for six years, in The Netherlands for six, in Belgium for an indefinite period. In France the maire, and a number of experienced members termed adjoint au maire 'mayoral adjunct', who assist him as an executive committee, are elected directly by the municipal council from among their own number. Most of the administrative work is left in the hands of the maire and his adjuncts, the full council meeting comparatively seldom. The adjuncts receive no salary. In [[Finland]], there are no mayors, although plans have been floated to institute the office in [[Tampere]]. The highest executive official is not democratically elected, but appointed to a public office by the city council, and is called simply ''kaupunginjohtaja'' "city manager" or ''kunnanjohtaja'' "municipal manager", depending on whether the municipality defines itself as a city. The term ''pormestari'' "mayor", from Swedish ''borgmästare'' confusingly refers to the highest official in the registry office, not the city manager. In addition, ''pormestari'' is also a title, which may be given for distinguished service in the post of the city manager. The city manager of Helsinki is called ''ylipormestari'', which translates to "Chief Mayor", for historical reasons. Furthermore, the term "city manager" may be seen translated as "mayor". This is similar to [[Portugal]], where the highest municipal authority is the ''presidente da Câmara Municipal'', the 'president of the Municipal Chamber', appointed to his office by the city council. In [[Poland]] the chief executive of a town or city is called ''burmistrz'' or, in towns with more than 100,000 inhabitants or others which traditionally use the title, ''prezydent''. The equivalent title in a rural commune ([[gmina]]) is ''[[wójt]]''. These are all directly elected posts. ===Australia===<!-- This section is linked from [[Albury, New South Wales]] --> On [[Australian]] councils, the Mayor is generally the member of the Council who acts as ceremonial figurehead at official functions, as well as carrying the authority of Council between meetings. Mayoral decisions made between meetings are subject to Council and may be confirmed or repealed if necessary. Mayors in Australia may be elected either directly through a ballot for the position of Mayor at a local-government election, or alternatively may be elected from within the Council at a meeting in September. Mayors have the title of ''''His/Her Worship'''' whilst holding the position. In councils where [[Councillors]] are elected representing political parties, the Mayor is normally the leader of the party receiving the most seats on council. ===Canada=== The mayor is the leader in most [[Canada|Canadian]] municipalities. However, some Canadian provinces still use the term ''reeve'' for the elected head of a small village, a [[township (Canada)|township]] or a [[rural municipalities|rural municipality]], performing a similar role to the mayor of a town or city. The town of [[Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario|Niagara-on-the-Lake]], [[Ontario]] is the only municipality in Canada whose elected head holds the traditionally British title of ''Lord Mayor''. Mayors are styled ''''His/Her Worship'''' while in office. [http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/pe/address6_e.cfm] The chief executives of [[borough#Canada|boroughs]] (''[[Arrondissement#Quebec|arrondissements]]'') in Quebec are termed mayors. ===Germany=== In [[Germany]] local government is regulated by [[states of Germany|state]] statutes. Nowadays only the [[burgomaster]]s of the three city-states ([[Berlin]], [[Hamburg]] and [[Bremen]]) are still elected by the respective city or community council. In all the other states the burgomasters are now elected directly by the [[EU citizen]]s living in that area. The post of burgomaster may be said to be a professional one, the burgomaster being the head of the local government, and requiring, in order to be eligible, a training in administration. In big cities (details are regulated by state statutes) the official title is Oberbürgermeister (chief burgomaster). In these cities a "simple" burgomaster is just a deputy responsible for a distinct task (e. g. welfare or construction works). Big cities are usually kreisfrei ("free of district"). That means that the city council also has the powers and duties of a rural district council. The leader of a rural district council is called Landrat ("land counsellor"). In that case the chief burgomaster has also the duties and powers of a Landrat. The term Oberbürgermeister is not used in the three city-states (e.g. in [[Berlin]] Regierender Bürgermeister ("governing burgomaster") is used). ===Japan=== [[Japan]]'s [[Local Autonomy Law|Local-Autonomy Law]] of 1947 defines the structure of Japanese local governments, which were strengthened after [[World War II]]. It gives strong executive power to the mayor in the local politics like [[mayor-council government#Executive or Strong Mayor Form|strong mayor]]s in large cities in the United States of America. The titles that are translated as "mayor" by the governments are those of the heads of [[cities of Japan|cities]] {{nihongo||市長|shichō}}, [[towns of Japan|towns]] {{nihongo||町長|chōchō}}, [[villages of Japan|villages]] {{nihongo||村長|sonchō}}, and Tokyo's [[special wards of Tokyo|special wards]] {{nihongo||区長|kuchō}}. (The head of the [[Tokyo|Tokyo prefecture]] is the {{nihongo|Governor|知事|Chiji}}.) A mayor is elected every four years by direct popular votes held separately from the assembly. A mayor can be [[recall election|recall]]ed by a popular initiative but the [[prefectures of Japan|prefectural]] and the national governments cannot remove a mayor from office. Towards the assembly the mayor prepares budgets, proposes local [[Act of Parliament|acts]] and has [[veto]]es on local acts just approved by the assembly which can be overridden by two-thirds assembly support. A mayor can resolve the assembly if the assembly passes a [[motion of no confidence]] or if the mayor thinks the assembly has no confidence in fact. ===Moldova=== The Mayor of the municipality in Moldova is elected for four years. In [[Bălţi]], Vasile Panciuc (PCRM) is the incumbent from 2001 and was re-elected twice: in 2003 during the anticipated elections (as a result of a new reform of the administrative division in Moldova in 2003), and in 2007. In [[Chişinău]], the last mayor elections had to be repeated three times, because of the low rate of participation. As a result, Dorin Chirtoaca (Liberal Party), won the last mayor elections in [[Chişinău]]. ===Romania=== The Mayor of the municipality in Romania is elected for four years.In [[Bucharest]] for example,[[Traian Basescu]] (The Alliance of Justice and Truth),the president of Romania was the Mayor of the municipality from 2000 to 2004. ===Netherlands=== {{main|Mayor (the Netherlands)}} In the [[Netherlands]], the mayor (in [[Dutch language|Dutch]]: burgemeester) is the leader of the municipal executive ('[[College van Burgemeester en Wethouders]]'). In the Netherlands, burgermeesters are ''de facto'' appointed by the national [[Cabinet of the Netherlands|cabinet]], ''de jure'' by the [[Dutch Monarchy|monarch]]. They preside both the municipal executive and the legislative ('[[gemeenteraad]]'). The title is sometimes translated as [[burgomaster]], to emphasize the appointed, rather than elected, nature of the office. The appointment procedure was recently brought for discussion. The appointment procedure is considered undemocratic. Alternatives are direct election of the mayor by the people or appointment by the ''gemeenteraad''. A constitutional change to allow this failed to pass the [[Eerste Kamer]] in May 2005. ===Spain=== "[[Alcalde]]", the [[Spanish language|Spanish]] term for the mayor of a town or city, is derived from [[Arabic]] ''El Qadi''( قاضي )- i.e. "The [[Qadi]]", Muslim [[judge]] who often had administrative as well as judicial functions. This reflects the fact that, at least in the early parts of the [[reconquista]], the [[Moor]]ish cities in the Iberian Peninsula were far bigger and more sophisticated than the Christian ones. As Spanish Christians took over an increasing part of territory, they adapted Moorish systems and terminology for their own use. ===Sweden=== The Swedish title ''borgmästare'' ([[burgomaster]]) was abolished in 1971. Today, the [[municipal commissioner]] - the highest ranking politician in each municipality - is informally titled "mayor" in English. ===Taiwan=== In the [[Republic of China]] in [[Taiwan]] the mayor is the head of a city's government and is completely distinct from the associated city's council, which is in charge of legislative affairs. The mayor and city council are elected separately by the city's residents. ===United States===<!-- This section is linked from [[List of mayors of New York City]] --> [[Image:Rumsfeld and Giuliani at Ground Zero.jpg|thumb|Former [[New York City]] Mayor [[Rudy Giuliani]] (right) with former U.S. [[Secretary of Defense]] [[Donald Rumsfeld]] (left) near the [[World Trade Center]] site on [[November 14]], [[2001]].]] In the [[United States]], there are several distinct types of mayors, depending on the system of local government. Under [[council-manager government]], the mayor is a [[first among equals]] on the [[city council]], analogous to a [[head of state]] for the city. He or she may chair the city council, but lacks any special legislative powers. The mayor and city council serve part-time, with day-to-day administration in the hands of a professional city manager. The system is most common among medium sized cities from around 25,000 to several hundred thousand, usually rural and suburban municipalities. In the second form, known as [[mayor-council government]], the mayoralty and city council are separate offices. Under a ''strong mayor'' system, the mayor acts as an elected executive with the city council functioning with legislative powers. She or he may select a [[chief administrative officer]] to oversee the different departments. This is the system used in most of the United States' large cities, primarily because mayors serve full time and have a wide range of services that they oversee. In a ''weak mayor'' or ''ceremonial mayor'' system, the mayor has appointing power for department heads but is subject to checks by the city council, sharing both executive and legislative duties with the council. This is common for smaller cities, especially in [[New England]]. [[Charlotte, North Carolina]] and [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]] are two notable large cities with a ceremonial mayor. Many American mayors are styled “'''His/Her Honor'''” while in office, sometimes corrupted in jest to “Hizzoner,” especially in the tabloid press. ==Multi-tier local government== In several countries, where there is not local [[autonomy]], mayors are often appointed by some branch of the federal or regional government. In some cities, subdivisions such as [[borough]]s may have their own mayors; this is the case, for example, with the [[arrondissement]]s of [[Paris]], [[Montreal]], and [[Mexico City]]. In Belgium, the capital, [[Brussels]], is administratively one of the federation's three regions, and is the only city subdivided, without the other regions' provincial level, into 19 rather small municipalities, which each have an elected--formally appointed--Burgomaster (i.e. Mayor, responsible to his / her elected council); while [[Antwerp]], the other major metropolitan area, has one large city (where the boroughs, former municipalities merged into it, elect a lower level, albeit with very limited competence) and several smaller surrounding municipalities, each under a normal Burgomaster as in Brussels. In the [[People's Republic of China]], the Mayor (市長) may be the administrative head of any municipality, be it provincial-, prefectural, or county-level. The Mayor is usually the most recognized official in cities, although the position is the second-highest ranking official in charge after the local Communist Party Secretary. In principle, the Mayor (who also serves as the Deputy Communist Party Secretary of the city) is responsible for managing the city administration while the Communist Party Secretary is responsible for general policy and managing the party bureaucracy, but in practice the roles blur, frequently causing conflict. ==Sources and references== (incomplete) * A. Shaw, ''Municipal Government in Continental Europe'' * J - A. Fairlie, ''Municipal Administration'' * S. and B. Webb, ''English Local Government'' * Redlich and Hirst, ''Local Government in England'' * A. L. Lowell, ''The Government of England''. ==See also== *[[Lists of mayors by country]] *[[List of the youngest mayors in the United States]] *[[City and town halls]] *[[Council-manager government]] *[[Mayor-council government]] *[[World Mayor]] *[[Burgomaster]] [[Category:Chief executives|*Mayor]] [[Category:Government occupations]] [[Category:Local government in the United States]] [[Category:Management occupations]] [[Category:Mayors|*]] [[Category:Titles]] [[Category:Heads of settlement]] [[ar:عمدة]] [[ast:Alcalde]] [[bg:Кмет]] [[ca:Alcalde]] [[cs:Starosta]] [[da:Borgmester]] [[de:Bürgermeister]] [[el:Δήμαρχος]] [[es:Alcalde]] [[eo:Urbestro]] [[fr:Maire]] [[fy:Boargemaster]] [[zh-classical:首長]] [[hi:महापौर]] [[hr:Gradonačelnik]] [[io:Urbestro]] [[ilo:Mayor]] [[id:Walikota]] [[is:Borgarstjóri]] [[it:Sindaco]] [[he:ראש עירייה]] [[lt:Meras]] [[hu:Polgármester]] [[mk:Градоначалник]] [[nl:Burgemeester]] [[nds-nl:Borgemeister]] [[ja:市町村長]] [[no:Borgermester]] [[nn:Ordførar]] [[oc:primièr cònsol]] [[pl:Burmistrz]] [[pt:Prefeito]] [[ru:Мэр]] [[sk:Starosta]] [[sl:Župan]] [[fi:Pormestari]] [[sv:Borgmästare]] [[tr:Belediye başkanı]] [[uk:Міський голова]] [[yi:בירגערמייסטער]] [[zh:市长]]