Netherlands

The college of mayor and aldermen (burgemeester en wethouders) is the municipality's executive body. The college prepares and implements local council decisions and is responsible for executing national policies at the local tier (medebewind). Aldermen, whose number varies depending on the municipality, are elected by the council for a four-year mandate.

The local council (gemeenteraad) is the municipality's deliberative body. Its members are councillors elected for a period of four years via the proportional representation system. The local council is in charge of the college of mayor and aldermen, makes all main municipal decisions and has the power to pass by-laws. It is chaired by the mayor, who cannot take part in any of the council votes.

The mayor (burgemeester) chairs the local council and the college of mayor and aldermen. He/she is formally appointed for a six-year mandate by the national government at the proposal of the local council. The mayor has the power to vote within the college of mayor and aldermen and his/her vote can be decisive.

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