HAARLEM, 14/09/00 - Noord-Holland Queen's Commissioner Van Kemenade wants the new mayor of Amsterdam to be appointed via the usual, closed procedure. The province hopes to be able to install the successor to Mayor Schelto Patijn in February at the latest.

Last week, Patijn announced he would retire earlier as of 1 January. In connection with the succession, the Amsterdam city council will draw up the profile for the new mayor (male or female) on 4 October. The term for applications will run from 5 through 26 October. In mid-December, Van Kemenade will make his recommendations to Home Affairs Minister Bert de Vries and the proposed nomination will be discussed in cabinet. The last word lies with Queen Beatrix.

A nomination procedure, anticipating the proposed change in the Municipality Act, is not possible, according to Van Kemenade. The PvdA, VVD and D66 parties reached agreement Tuesday evening after much in-fighting that council executives could put forward two candidates. Parliament will almost certainly approve this.

"The amendment to the Municipality Act has not yet been passed by the Lower and Upper House. As well, the question is, whether, when and how the amendment will come into effect," according to the province.