Local Self-Government and Administration

Abstract

This chapter describes the variety and levels of local self-government bodies in Germany. It portrays that local authorities (municipalities, cities and counties) are responsible for performing both their own tasks and large parts of federal and Land laws (the communal administrations and especially their so-called double head function: local self-government and lowest level of state administration). The local authorities mainly differentiate themselves from federal and regional authorities by the mandates of their elected representative bodies (municipal council, city council and county council). The head of a local administration (mayor or county commissioner) is also usually directly elected by the citizens.