Nuremberg's interests are entrusted to the City Council and the City Administration, both headed by the Lord Mayor. The City Council (70 seats) is the political representation of the citizens and the highest decision-making body deciding on all important issues and determining the principles and regulations for the municipal administration.
Everyday issues are managed exclusively by the municipal administration and its top representative, the Lord Mayor. The exact spheres of competence of both bodies are determined by Local Government Law.
While the Lord Mayor is elected directly by the population, the City Council appoints his deputies (2nd and 3rd Mayors) from among the Council members. In addition, professional deputy mayors (Referenten) are selected for various fields who have the right of speaking in the City Council and propose motions in topics concerning their field. Lord Mayor, 2nd and 3rd Mayor and the professional deputy mayors – in Nuremberg there are presently seven of them - are responsible for specific portfolios and represent these fields in the City Council.
The City Council established committees who decide on specific topic or prepare City Council decisions. Whenever city districts which were incorporated in 1972 are not represented by a city councillor, they may name a speaker for this city district who has the right to speak in the City Council and to propose motions concerning the district.
