History of Mayor in Timeline

A mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government like a city or town. The powers, responsibilities, and selection methods of a mayor vary significantly worldwide due to differing local laws and customs. A mayor can be the chief executive officer, chair a governing body, or have a ceremonial role. Duties may include overseeing municipal employees and services, and enforcing local laws. Mayors are selected through direct election or appointment by an elected council.

1908: Departments headed by the Intendente Municipal

Since 1908 Uruguay's first-level administrative division, the 19 Departments, were headed by the Intendente Municipal, which covered the functions of Intendancy and municipal government at the same time.

1937: Abolishment of Borgermester Title in Norway

In 1937, Norway abolished the borgermester title for the non-political top manager of city municipalities, replacing it with rådmann, while the top elected official was named ordfører.

1947: Local-Autonomy Law of 1947 in Japan

In 1947, Japan's Local-Autonomy Law defined the structure of Japanese local governments, strengthening them and giving strong executive power to the mayor.

1948: Start of Oberbürgermeister usage in East Berlin

In 1948, the term Oberbürgermeister was used in East Berlin for the head of the state government.

1951: End of Oberbürgermeister usage in West Berlin

In 1951, the term Oberbürgermeister was no longer used for the head of the state government of West Berlin.

1965: Tradition in the Instrument of Government in Sweden.

In Sweden, the tradition in the 1809 Instrument of Government (§ 31) was kept until 1965, which stated that the city should present three nominees, of whom the king (or the Council of the Realm) appointed one.

1965: Abolishment of local government elections

Local government elections were abolished in 1965.

1965: Changes to Mayor Judge Administrative Functions in Sweden

Until 1965, mayor judges in Sweden historically performed some administrative functions in the board of magistrates. Until the same year there were also municipal mayors, who had non-political administrative roles in smaller cities without a magistrates' court or magistrat.

1971: Abolishment of Rådhusrätt Courts in Sweden

In 1971, Sweden abolished the rådhusrätt, which were the courts of the cities presided over by senior judge with the title borgmästare, somewhat equivalent to the English magistrates' court.

1971: Abolishment of the Swedish title borgmästare

The Swedish title borgmästare (burgomaster) was abolished in the court reform of 1971 when also the towns of Sweden were officially abolished.

1974: Local government reforms in England

In 1974, local government reforms in England led to the appointment of mayors in local government districts with borough status, even those containing towns with separate mayors.

1983: Introduction of Metropolitan Municipalities

In 1983, a new level of municipality was introduced in the Turkish administrative system. In big cities, metropolitan municipalities were established.

1990: Direct election of mayors

From 1990 to 2006 mayors were elected directly by voters in local elections alongside the municipal council.

January 1991: End of Oberbürgermeister usage in East Berlin

In January 1991, the term Oberbürgermeister was no longer used for the head of the state government of East Berlin.

1993: City courts abolished in Finland

In Finland, the city courts were abolished in 1993.

1997: Implementation of the Kapodistrias Plan in Greece

In 1997, the Kapodistrias Plan was implemented in Greece, consolidating numerous municipalities and communities down to approximately 1000.

1999: Administrative cities before 1999

Before 1999, there were administrative cities (kota administratif, [id]) which were headed by administrative mayors.

1999: Introduction of "Head of the City" post in Ukraine

In 1999, the title "head of the city" (Ukrainian: міський голова) was introduced in Ukraine. Since then, the post is elected by all residents of the city, whereas before that date, the post was elected by members of the city council only.

2000: Introduction of Directly Elected Mayors in England

In 2000, reforms in England introduced directly elected mayors in several local authorities, combining the civic role with that of council leader and granting them greater powers.

2000: Proposals for a Directly Elected Mayor of the Dublin Metropolitan Area

Since 2000 there have been proposals for a directly elected mayor of the Dublin Metropolitan Area.

2001: Law 215/2001

Law 215/2001 of the Romanian Parliament defines the responsibilities of the mayor and of the local council.

2001: Local Government Act 2001

The Local Government Act 2001 allowed county councils to style their chairperson as "mayor" and some do so.

March 2005: Constitutional change fails in Senate

In March 2005, a constitutional change to allow for the direct election of the mayor by the people or official appointment by the municipal council (gemeenteraad) failed to pass the Senate.

2006: Direct election of mayors

From 1990 to 2006 mayors were elected directly by voters in local elections alongside the municipal council.

2007: Local Administration Act of 2007

The Local Administration Act of 2007 establishes a mayor-council system for all municipalities, except city municipalities that are part of a city.

September 2009: Creation of the Municipio administrative division

On September 2009, the Law No. 18567 created a second-level administrative division in Uruguay, the Municipio, headed by an alcalde.

2010: Implementation of the Kallikratis Plan in Greece

In 2010, the Kallikratis Plan was implemented in Greece, further consolidating municipalities down to 370, and disbanding the country's 54 prefectures in favor of 13 larger regions.

September 2012: Number of Mayors in the Philippines

As of September 2012, there are 1,635 mayors in the Philippines.

September 2014: Regulation establishment for municipalities

On September 2014, the Law No. 19272 established the regulation provided that in settlements with more than 2,000 inhabitants a municipality was to be created including their surrounding territories.

2014: Analysis of Mayor Performance

In 2014, an analysis found no difference in performance between male and female mayors in the United States, and no evidence of a positive role model effect from female mayors inspiring future candidates.

2014: Abolishment of Boroughs in the Republic of Ireland

In 2014, boroughs in the Republic of Ireland, whose heads were called "mayor" from the Municipal Corporations (Ireland) Act 1840, were abolished by the Local Government Reform Act.

2014: Creation of Combined Authority Areas with Metro Mayors

In 2014, combined authority areas were created, led by metro or regional mayors with expansive governmental powers, overseeing larger geographical areas and holding significant political influence.

2014: Mayoral term change in Greece

Starting in 2014, mayors in Greece are elected for a five-year term and held together with the elections for the European Parliament.

2015: Implementation of the 'elder' post

Since 2015, the post of Ukrainian: староста, ('elder') has been implemented at the lower level of the administrative-territorial pyramid.

2016: Mirya R. Holman's writing on mayors

In 2016 author Mirya R. Holman wrote that female mayors "emphasize nurturer parent frames more frequently whereas male mayors emphasize strict father frames, but they discuss economic development at very similar levels".

2018: Calls to revive local government elections

Following the 2018 general election, there have been calls to revive local government elections, which had been the practice in certain cities such as Kuala Lumpur, George Town, Ipoh and Melaka until their abolishment in 1965.

2018: Constitutional change succeeds

In 2018, a constitutional change to allow for the direct election of the mayor by the people or official appointment by the municipal council (gemeenteraad) succeeded.

2019: Plebiscite for directly elected mayors

The 2019 local elections included plebiscites in three areas on directly elected mayors, of which that for Mayor of Limerick was passed, with the first direct election due as part of the 2024 local elections.

April 2022: Number of municipalities (gmina) in Poland

As of April 2022, there are altogether 2477 municipalities (gmina) in Poland, including 1513 rural gminas, while the remaining 968 ones contain cities and towns.