In each municipality there shall be a mayor, head of local administration and legal representative of the municipality, who shall be popularly elected for institutional periods of four (4) years, and may not be reelected for the following period.

Whenever an absolute absence occurs more than eighteen (18) months before the end of the term, a mayor shall be elected for the remaining time. In case there are less than eighteen (18) months remaining, the governor shall appoint a mayor for the remainder of the term, respecting the party, political group, or coalition under which the elected mayor was registered.

The president and governors, in cases specifically established by law, shall suspend or remove mayors.

The law shall establish the sanctions applicable for improper exercise of this power.