Local Government

Municipal governments have introduced a new element to Nicaraguan politics. The first municipal gobernments were selected in 1990. Under the provisions of the law, citizens vote directly for council members. The number of these depends on the size of the cities. Once elected, council members select their own leader, the mayorm who serves with their approval. The municipal government are control of uban development; use of the land, sanitation, rainwater drainage, and enviromental protection, construction and maintenance of roads, parks, sidewalks, plazas, bridges, recreational aresa, and cemeteries, verfication of weights and measures and establishment of museums, libraries, and other cultural activites. The primary taxing power of municipal governments is assessment on property, including houses and veichles.