Majlis

A majlis (Arabic: مجلس, plural مجالس majālis) is the locally elected executive and policymaking council responsible for administering a baladiya, the basic unit of local government in the Arab Union. It is formally known as a majlis baladī (مجلس بلدي, plural مجالس بلدية majālis baladīyah) when the context is not clear.

Depending on the population of the respective baladiya, a majlis may consist of anywhere from 11 to 75 members, who are elected every three years by the residents of the baladiya, and who together deliberate and ultimately vote upon policy affecting local governance. While executive power ultimately rests with the majlis as a whole, day-to-day supervision of the various executive agencies responsible for public administration is handled by a professional executive manager, who is appointed by and operates at the pleasure of the majlis.