<P> In several countries, where there is not local autonomy, mayors are often appointed by some branch of the federal or regional government . In some cities, subdivisions such as boroughs may have their own mayors; this is the case, for example, with the arrondissements of Paris, Montreal, and Mexico City . In Belgium, the capital, Brussels, is administratively one of the federation's three regions, and is the only city subdivided, without the other regions' provincial level, into 19 rather small municipalities, which each have an elected--formally appointed--Burgomaster (i.e., Mayor, responsible to his / her elected council); while Antwerp, the other major metropolitan area, has one large city (where the boroughs, former municipalities merged into it, elect a lower level, albeit with very limited competence) and several smaller surrounding municipalities, each under a normal Burgomaster as in Brussels . </P> <P> In the People's Republic of China, the Mayor (市長) may be the administrative head of any municipality, provincial, prefecture - level, or county - level . The Mayor is usually the most recognized official in cities, although the position is the second - highest - ranking official in charge after the local Communist Party Secretary . In principle, the Mayor (who also serves as the Deputy Communist Party Secretary of the city) is responsible for managing the city administration while the Communist Party Secretary is responsible for general policy and managing the party bureaucracy, but in practice the roles blur, frequently causing conflict . </P> <P> Acting mayor is a temporary office created by the charter of some municipal governments . </P> <P> In many cities and towns, the charter or some similar fundamental document provides that in the event of the death, illness, resignation, or removal from office of the incumbent mayor, another official will lead the municipality for a temporary period, which, depending on the jurisdiction, may be for a stated period of days or months until a special election can be held, or until the original end of the term to which the vacating mayor was elected . </P>

Who does the mayor of a city report to