If i have it right, in the last municipial elections, the Gerrer chassidim brought mr. nir barkat to power as mayor, and he promised to install a mizrachi Rabbi in the job, rather than somebody chareidi who diametrically opposes the state.
Since that election was a serious fight between R’ porush and the Gerrers, and since barkat actually kept many of his promises, this is a BIG ISSUE.
the rabbi does not too much power, but the mayor does.