city council / municipal assembly
Loading your saved state.
city council
The parliament or elected representation of a city's citizens that decides on municipal matters. The exact name for this body varies depending on the German federal state.
Die Stadtverordnetenversammlung hat in ihrer letzten Sitzung den neuen Haushalt beschlossen.
At its last meeting, the city council approved the new budget.
This long word consists of three parts: 'Stadt' (city), 'Verordneten' (elected representatives), and 'Versammlung' (assembly). So it is literally an assembly of city representatives.
Die Mitglieder der Stadtverordnetenversammlung werden alle fünf Jahre gewählt.
The members of the city council are elected every five years.
Because of its length, the word is often abbreviated as 'SVV' in texts and in administration. When you read this abbreviation, it usually refers to this body.
Die nächste Sitzung der SVV findet am Dienstag statt.
The next meeting of the SVV will take place on Tuesday.
The name for the city parliament is not the same throughout Germany. Depending on the federal state or region, other terms such as 'Stadtrat' (city council) or 'Gemeinderat' (municipal council) are also common.
In Hessen heißt das Gremium Stadtverordnetenversammlung, in Bayern hingegen Stadtrat.
In Hesse, the body is called 'Stadtverordnetenversammlung'; in Bavaria, however, it is called 'Stadtrat'.
municipal council / council member
'der Gemeinderat' and 'die Stadtverordnetenversammlung' are both elected groups that decide on local issues. 'Gemeinderat' usually fits a municipality and is the name for this body in many places. 'Stadtverordnetenversammlung' is used for the parliament or council of a city; the exact term often depends on the German federal state. The words can be confused because both decide on similar matters, for example roads, schools, or construction projects. In practical terms: for a municipality, people often say 'Gemeinderat'; for a city, 'Stadtverordnetenversammlung' may be the more precise official name.
In der Stadtverordnetenversammlung wurde heute über bezahlbare Wohnungen gesprochen.
Affordable housing was discussed in the city council today.
Beim Termin erklärt der Bürgermeister dem Gemeinderat den neuen Haushaltsplan.
At the appointment, the mayor explains the new budget plan to the municipal council.