Mayor–council government

Variations and mayoral power

The form may be categorized into two main variations depending on the relative power of the mayor compared to the council, the strong-mayor variant and the weak-mayor variant. In a typical strong-mayor system, the elected mayor is granted almost total administrative authority with the power to appoint and dismiss department heads, although some city charters or prevailing state law may require council ratification. In such a system, the mayor's administrative staff often prepares the city budget, although that budget must be approved by the council. The mayor may also have veto rights over council votes, with the council able to override such a veto. Conversely, in a weak-mayor system, the mayor has no formal authority outside the council, serving a largely ceremonial role as council chairperson and is elected by the citizens of the city. The mayor cannot directly appoint or remove officials and lacks veto power over council votes.

Use across the world

Most major North American cities use the strong-mayor form of the mayor–council system, whereas middle-sized and small North American cities tend to use the council–manager system. The system is also commonly in place in Asian countries.

Several countries use either a mayor–council form or variations of this system. Canada uses a mayor-council system that varies within provinces and municipalities and continues to maintain legitimacy by public vote. Germany uses this form that resembles a strong-mayor variant. Italy also uses the strong-mayor model system. Mayors in Japan are directly elected, holding significant power, with the directly elected council (assembly) providing a check and balance, operating under central government oversight according to the Japanese Local Autonomy Act (UAL). While the local government has similarities to a strong mayor–council system, the mayor has veto powers like the U.S. government, and there are also aspects of the Parliamentary form of government. The assembly can issue a vote of no confidence. If the vote is passed, the Mayor will dissolve the assembly and the people will vote in a new one. If this happens a second time and passes, the mayor is removed.

The mayor–council government system is also in Asian countries. Taiwan's administrative divisions, not unlike Japan, has six special municipalities such as Taipei (as of 2025 the Mayor of Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung, 3 cities, and 13 counties. Each of these has a mayor/Magistrate-council form of government. Magistrates are over counties. Malaysia has mayors in most local governments.

References

References

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2. (2009). "State and Local Government: Politics and Public Policies.". McGraw Hill.
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4. (4 November 2008). "Decentralization and Local Democracy in the World: First Global Report by United Cities and Local Governments 2008". World Bank Publications.
5. (29 March 2022). "Japan: Local Autonomy Is a Central Tenet to Good Governance". [[International City/County Management Association]] (ICMA).
6. (26 May 2006). "Leading the Localities: Executive Mayors in English Local Governance". Manchester University Press.
7. "Government organizations: (County (City) Level)"). Office of the President.