​Münster is also the seat of the district government for the Münster administrative district of the same name from the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The district is one of five into which the state is divided (picture below). It consists of Münster, the independent cities of Gelsenkirchen and Bottrop and the surrounding counties.

 

The district government has its headquarters in the "Freiherr-vom-Stein-Haus" on Domplatz (picture above). According to its own statement, it is the representation of the federal state government in the administrative district. As such, it acts as an intermediary between the state and the mayors and district administrators. Its areas of responsibility, such as schools, culture and sports or municipal supervision, are each divided into their own departments.

 

These are the tasks of the district government:

• It bundles and integrates specialized and special authorities of almost all federal state departments and thus offers assistance to citizens as well as to municipalities and the economy

• It examines and coordinates the interests of municipal administrations, associations, organizations, business, industries, citizens and state special authorities

• It advises and supervises the counties and independent cities in the administrative district and ensures that decisions are made in accordance with the law and that supra-local interests are taken into account.

• It represents municipal interests vis-à-vis the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia

• It approves infrastructure projects for road, rail and air traffic, for energy and water supply, flood protection, waste disposal and wastewater disposal.

• It provides impetus for the structural development of the region, regional planning and regional development, strengthening of the economy and the labor market.

• It moderates the regional consensus.

​

The district government is headed by a district president. They are appointed by the Minister-President.

 

In addition, the government has a regional council made up of municipalities, which is responsible for regional planning. Its members are elected by the representatives of the rural districts and independent cities.

​

​

Further information:

• Website of the district government of Münster (website only available in German)