Zohran Mamdani speaks throughout a victory speech at a mayoral election evening watch social gathering, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in New York. (AP)
As New York's mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani will take his place amongst stronger American mayors who basically act as metropolis CEOs with broad powers starting from budget-making to appointments. New York, Los Angeles and Chicago are amongst cities that observe the ‘strong-mayor system', the place mayors do not report back to a political government, like in India, however draw their powers straight from the Structure and therefore get pleasure from way more autonomy. How completely different are Indian and American mayors? Let's have a look.Ceremonial Vs Govt Energy
- In most Indian cities, the mayor is essentially ceremonial, with little government authority. Actual government energy lies with the municipal commissioner, often an IAS officer appointed by state govt
- Even in main metros like Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi or Chennai, the mayor is just not a real government authority. Powers range primarily based on the kind of governance a metropolis follows, however all mayors report back to their political bosses
- In a strong-mayor US system, the mayor workouts full management over the administration, with authority that's unbiased of the state or the federal govt
Sturdy Mayors Vs Weak Mayors
- In US, authority and tasks of mayors range broadly, relying on type of municipal govt adopted by every metropolis and its
metropolis constitution or native structure. In a ‘strong-mayor system' – like in New York Metropolis, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Houston, San Francisco, Atlanta – the mayor has substantial powers, together with appointing and eradicating division heads, getting ready the finances, and vetoing council selections
- In a ‘weak-mayor' system – Portland, Charlotte, Phoenix, Dallas, San Antonio, Cincinnati and Sacramento, for instance – the mayor's energy is restricted; many government capabilities are shared with town council
- Some US cities – comparable to Seattle, Boston Denver and San Diego – have a ‘hybrid' system, the place there's a ‘strong-mayor' system, however balanced by an energetic council or citizen commissions.
