The Function

First magistrate of the commune, he is not elected by the communal Council but named by the King on presentation of the Council. The quality of advising communal is not essential for him. The King can appoint the burgomaster among the voters of the commune, he must be at least 25 years old. The Burgomaster has a double function: he is the representative of the commune outside and the representative of the state within this one. In this last quality, the burgomaster is personally in charge of the execution with the laws, decrees and payments of the State, the community, the area and the province. As a first person in charge for the commune, the burgomaster chairs the Council and the College. He signs the payments and decrees of them. He keeps deliberative voice with the College in any event. The burgomaster is moreover in charge in particular of the maintenance of law and order. He has also the right to requisition the army and the police.

Bernard Clerfayt, Burgomaster of the Commune of Schaerbeek