The current mayor is Sergio Giordani a centre-left independent, who took office on 28 June 2017.

[1] According to the Italian Constitution, the mayor of Padua is member of the city council.

The mayor is elected by the population of Padua, 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.

Since 1995, under provisions of new local administration law, the Mayor of Padua is chosen by direct election, originally every four, and since 1999 every five years.

The office of the deputy mayor of Padua was officially created in 1995 with the adoption of the new local administration law.