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

The Mayor is elected by the population of Catania, who also elect 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 1993 the Mayor is elected directly by Catania'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.

Since 1993, under provisions of new local administration law, the Mayor of Catania is chosen by direct election, originally every four, and later every five years.