According to the Italian Constitution, the Mayor of Savona is member of the City Council.

The Mayor is elected by the population of Savona, who also elects the members of the City Council, controlling the Mayor's policy guidelines and is able to enforce his resignation by a motion of no confidence.

The Mayor is entitled to appoint and release the members of his government.

Since 1994 the Mayor is elected directly by Savona's electorate: in all mayoral elections in Italy in cities with a population higher than 15,000 the voters express a direct choice for the mayor or an indirect choice voting for the party of the candidate's coalition.

[1] Since 1994, under provisions of new local administration law, the Mayor of Savona is chosen by direct election.