The nucleus of democracy
Tens of thousands of people play a part in the politics of Germany’s 11,000 municipalities. Find out more about politics at a local level.
It’s rare for the Federal Chancellor or a state premier in Germany to meet members of the public out on the street, but quite the opposite is true of Germany’s mayors. Municipal politics are more direct and visible than on any other level. Here’s what you need to know about municipal politics in Germany.
Municipalities in Germany
There are 16 federal states in Germany. Every one of them, from Bavaria to North Rhine-Westphalia and Saxony, is made up of districts, cities and parishes, all of which count as municipalities. There are around 11,000 municipalities in Germany. Local policies are handled by city, district and parish councils, and the majority of the politicians work on a voluntary basis. Each municipality is led by a Bürgermeister or mayor, while bigger cities have Oberbürgermeisters as well. The three city states of Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen are an exception to this rule as they are states and municipalities at the same time.
Municipal elections
The same basic rules apply to municipal elections as to any other election in Germany. That means voters cast their votes in general, direct, free, equal and secret ballots. In many municipalities young people can vote from the age of 16, while the voting age for national elections is 18. Citizens of other EU countries who live in Germany are also allowed to vote in municipal elections, but they cannot vote in elections to state parliaments or the Bundestag.
What do municipalities do?
Municipal policymakers take a range of decisions which have a direct effect on local people. Will a new sports field or swimming pool get built, for example? Should the city have more buses or a metro line? Will permission be granted for a new residential development? Municipalities also handle many administrative tasks. If you want to apply for a passport or register your car, you have to go to the appropriate office in your community. Municipalities receive a share of national taxation to fund their activities, but they can also levy their own taxes in certain areas.
