Municipal politics in the Netherlands

The council of mayor and aldermen exercise the executive power of the municipal government.

Moreover, the two largest municipalities, Amsterdam and Rotterdam, have previously been further divided in boroughs called deelgemeenten.

He is a member of the council of mayor and aldermen and has his own portfolios, often including safety and public order.

When a vacancy occurs the municipal council and King's Commissioner express their preferences to the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.

Almost all mayors are member of a national political party, but they are expected to exercise their office in a non partisan fashion.

All citizens and foreigners who live in the Netherlands for at least four years in a municipality have the right to vote and almost all citizens can be elected, ministers and state secretaries in the national government are barred from standing in elections as well as mayors and civil servants employed by the municipality.

Like most legislatures, the members of municipal councils work in both political groups and policy area related committees.

The College van B&W have the duty to inform the municipal council on all aspects of their policy.

An alderman will lose his position if the municipal council adopts a motion of no-confidence against him.

The same happened in city of Groningen, where a left wing executive was appointed on 26 April 2006.

Legally municipalities have an "open household" which means that it can take on any competence it wishes as long as it does not violate national policy or break constitutional bounds.

Partially through the municipal fund in which the national government puts part of its tax income.

Municipalities also receive administrative payments from citizens who need particular services such as environment permits.