Municipalities

Every municipality has democratically elected bodies. They act in the interests of the citizens living in their area. They can pass on decisions of other levels of government or exercise autonomous local power by ensuring that residents' democratic rights and duties are respected.

Although municipalities are subordinate to the federal state, communities and regions, they also enjoy a certain degree of autonomy. The constitution recognises the principle of municipal autonomy in all matters of municipal interest. However, this autonomy is counterbalanced by the supervision to which municipalities are subjected.

Obligatory tasks

• maintaining of public order ;
• maintaining registers of civil status ;
• maintaining population registers ;
• road administration
• primary education
• issuing planning and environmental permits;
• planning

Voluntary tasks

• traffic ;
• housing ;
• approval of planning and urban development instruments;
• socio-cultural activities
• fire safety 

The municipal council plays an important role in the municipality. It is responsible for making laws at the local level. It votes on the rules and decisions of the municipality, such as the municipal regulations and by-laws, the budget and accounts. They also elect the aldermen who work alongside the mayor and form the board of mayor and aldermen.

The board of mayor and aldermen is the executive body in charge of the day-to-day administration of the municipality. It consists of the mayor and aldermen, appointed by the municipal council. The mayor, appointed by the regional government, plays a key role in the municipality's administration. 

• He/she chairs the municipal council and the College of Mayor and Aldermen.
• He/she signs the ordinances, decisions and deeds of the municipality.
• He/she is responsible for the application of laws and regulations, security and public order in the municipality. 

The mayor is both head of the municipality and representative of the local government. If necessary, he/she can seek the help of the federal police or the army to maintain public order.

1. Opens in new windowAnderlecht
2. Opens in new windowAuderghem
3. Opens in new windowBerchem-Sainte-Agathe
4. Opens in new windowBruxelles
5. Opens in new windowEtterbeek
6. Opens in new windowEvere
7. Opens in new windowForest
8. Opens in new windowGanshoren
9. Opens in new windowIxelles
10. Opens in new windowJette
11. Opens in new windowKoekelberg
12. Opens in new windowMolenbeek-Saint-Jean
13. Opens in new windowSaint-Gilles
14. Opens in new windowSaint-Josse-ten-NoodeExternal link
15. Opens in new windowSchaerbeek
16. Opens in new windowUccle
17. Opens in new windowWatermael-Boitsfort
18. Opens in new windowWoluwe-Saint-Lambert
19. Opens in new windowWoluwe-Saint-Pierre