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The Dutch word ''schepen'' (Dutch pl. ''schepenen'') refers to the incumbent of a municipal civic office in Dutch-speaking countries. The term is still in use in Belgium, but it has been replaced by ''wethouder'' in the Netherlands. The closest English terms are alderman, member of the municipal executive, councillor and magistrate, depending on the context. The word ''schepen'' is not used in English, so this article refers only to the office in Dutch-speaking countries. This Dutch term is related to the terms used in other European languages, including ''échevin'' in French (in Belgium and Luxembourg), ''Schöffe'' in German, ''šepmistr'' in Czech, and ''scabino'' in Italian. == Belgium == In Flanders, ''schepen'' is the Dutch term used for a town alderman who serves on the executive board in the municipal government. Though there is no direct English cognate, the Dutch term ''schepen'' is generally translated into English as "alderman", "municipal councillor or "town councillor".〔Van Dale ''Groot Woordenboek Nederlands–Engels''〕 However, these terms do not really adequately express the idea that the ''schepen'' is a member of the executive board and not just an ordinary councillor. Each Flemish municipality has an elected town council. During the first meeting of a newly elected town council, council members vote by secret ballot to elect the ''schepenen''. An absolute majority (more than half the votes) is required for a ''schepen'' to be voted in. Once elected, the ''schepenen'' serve with the mayor on an executive board charged with the day-to-day management of town and city affairs. The executive board is referred to in Dutch as the "''college van burgemeester en schepenen''". ''Schepenen'' are often assigned portfolio areas such as culture, education or city planning. They have several executive responsibilities relating to their portfolios and thus assist the mayor in governing the town or city. The total number of ''schepenen'' in a town depends on its population. A city like Antwerp has ten; whereas Herstappe, the smallest community in Belgium, has only two. Since a ''schepen'' is also an ordinary alderman or town councillor, he or she must be re-elected to remain in the office of ''schepen''. Since 2006, Belgian citizenship has not been a requirement for the position. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Schepen」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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