Andreas Kiefer was elected Secretary General in 2010 and re-elected in 2015 for a mandate until 30 June 2020. The election of the Secretary General of the Congress for the next mandate was scheduled for the March 2020 session, which had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 measures. After the elections of November 2020, Andreas Kiefer has been re-elected for a new mandate as Secretary General. 

The Secretary General of the Congress is answerable to the Congress and its organs and act under the authority of Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić.

The Secretary General of the Congress must ensure the smooth functioning of the Congress and its bodies and the follow-up of their decisions. He is also responsible for transmitting texts adopted by the Congress to the Parliamentary Assembly and the Committee of Ministers, as well as for the efficient management of the human and financial resources of the Congress.

 Mr. Kiefer's Biography

CoE Photo Library

Rafael Benitez is the Director of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities.

The Director of the Congress is responsible for assisting the Secretary General with the management of the Congress Secretariat and with the fulfilment of the Congress mandate, providing support for its various bodies, and to contribute to the development and the implementation of the objectives of the Congress.

The Director is appointed by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe following consultation with the Bureau of the Congress.

 Mr. Benitez's Biography