How local government works

All municipalities are governed by municipal councils, elected every five years. The councils of metropolitan and local municipalities are elected by a system of proportional representation, while the councils of district municipalities are partly elected by proportional representation and partly appointed by the councils of the constituent local municipalities.

Therefore, at local government and municipal elections the voters have three ballot papers: one to vote for a candidate for ward councillor, one for a party for the council of the local municipality and one to vote for a party for the council of the district municipality (if they live in a local municipality).

Most municipal councils are managed by an executive committee, elected executive mayor and a municipal manager.