Bürgermeister#

Mayor, chairman of the municipal council and the council executive committee; elected by the municipal council from among its members; responsible to the municipal council as to the performance of the ´internal´ administrative duties of his/her Gemeinde. The constitutions of the federal provinces (except for Vienna) can provide for direct general election; serves as chief executive officer of the municipal administration and is at the same time an agent of the federal government (delegated powers) and, in this capacity, is bound by the instructions of the competent federal and provincial authorities; represents the interests of the municipality; s/he is the head of the municipal office (of the town office in towns, of the municipal authorities in statutory towns); municipal employees are bound by his/her instructions; the mayor acts as official local authority, especially in building matters. In statutory towns the mayor is head of the municipal authorities; in Vienna s/he is also Landeshauptmann.

Literature#