Bürgermeister

The German word Bürgermeister, often spelled in English as Burgermeister (or Burgomeister or Burgomaster), means master of the citizens.

A Burgermeister is chairman of the executive council (or cabinet) in many towns and cities in Germany.  In France, the person is called a maire. In the Netherlands the person is called the burgemeester. The title is usually translated into English as Mayor, but the position of mayor is not quite the same as the Burgermeister.

Municipal government
 Bürgermeister is used in Germany and Austria.  It was used in Switzerland until the mid-19th century. In Switzerland now various names are used instead, such as  Gemeindepräsident, Stadtpräsident, Gemeindeammann, and Stadtammann.
 In city-states there can be more than one Bürgermeister.  The senior one, equivalent to the Minister-President has an extra title
Regierender Bürgermeister ('Governing Mayor') in Berlin
 Erster Bürgermeister (literally 'First Mayor') in Hamburg
 Bürgermeister und Präsident des Senats ('Mayor and President of the Senate') in Bremen
Many large cities also have more than one Bürgermeister, the senior is usually called  the Oberbürgermeister or Lord Mayor.

Ober- is sometimes put in front of a title to show that it is higher than another, especially in military.

Historical title 

 Präsidierender Bürgermeister ('Presiding Bürgermeister') is a name sometimes seen in old documents and books.

Category:Government of Germany