In a monitoring report on the implementation of the European Charter on of Local Self-Government published today, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities expresses particular concerns over the appointment procedure of Mayors and King’s Commissioners, which has not been changed in the legislation to provide for their democratic election by the citizens.

The Netherlands ratified the Charter of Local Self-Government in 1991 and in this new report the Congress urges national authorities to replace the appointment of Mayors and King’s Commissioners by democratic election, to ensure the citizen’s rights to participate in the conduct of local public affairs and comply with fundamental principles of democracy.

Despite a 2018 constitutional amendment regarding their appointment procedure, the rapporteur notes that there are no clear plans for a shift towards elected functions.

Mayors used to be the neutral representative of the Crown in municipalities or cities. Over the last decades the role has become more political. This is due to the increasing importance of their work in the field of safety, public order and, in the current pandemic, due to the decisions on restrictions of fundamental rights.

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