Municipal politics in the Netherlands

Municipal politics in the Netherlands is an important aspect of the politics of the Netherlands. The municipality is the lowest level of government, but this does not reflect the importance that the Amsterdam and Rotterdam governments play in Dutch political life. There are a total of 390 municipalities in the Netherlands.

In municipal politics there are three functions: the Mayor, the city council and the Aldermen. Together they share legislative power. The mayor chairs both the city council and the council of mayor and aldermen. The council of mayor and aldermen exercise the executive power of the provincial government. The relationship between the Alderman and the City Council is officially dualistic, that is they have separate responsibilities.

Additionally many larger municipalities have Gemeentelijke Rekenkamer (Municipal Chamber of Audit) which oversees the finances of the municipality. Moreover, the two largest municipalities, Amsterdam and Rotterdam are further divided in boroughs called deelgemeenten.

The mayor (burgemeester) chairs both the council of mayor and aldermen and the city council. He is a member of the council of mayor and aldermen and has his own portfolios, often including safety and public order. He also has a representative role, as the head of the municipal government. He is appointed by the national government for a renewable six-year term. When a vacancy occurs the city council and King´s Commissioner express their preferences to the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. The Minister generally follows the preferences of the city council. Almost all mayors are member of a national political party, but they are expected to exercise their office in a non partisan fashion.

The City Council (Gemeenteraad, GR) is the elected assembly of the municipality. Its main role is laying down the guidelines for the policy of the council of mayor and aldermen and exercising oversight over the implementation of policy by the council of mayor and aldermen.

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