The current office holder is Giuseppe Sala,[1] a centre-left independent who has been in charge since 2016 leading a progressive alliance composed by the Democratic Party, Green Europe and some civic lists.

The mayor and the other 48 city councillors (consiglieri comunali) are elected by the Italian and EU citizens residing in Milan.

Voters can express their choice for the mayor and for a list of municipal councillors not necessarily supporting the same mayor-candidate (voto disgiunto).

Since 1993, under provisions of new local administration law, the mayor of Milan is chosen by direct election, originally every four, and since 2001 every five years.

The office of the Deputy Mayor of Milan was officially created in 1993 with the adoption of the new local administration law.