[2] Prior to the 2017 administrative reform, Tartu held negotiations with all neighbouring parishes, with Tähtvere Parish eventually being the only one to agree to the merge.

There are 49 members on the city council, elected by residents every four years using a proportional system of representation.

Andrus Ansip, Prime Minister of Estonia from 2005 to 2014, was mayor of Tartu from 1998 to 2004.

The position was later served by other politicians who eventually became ministers of government, Laine Jänes and Urmas Kruuse.

All of them are members of the Estonian Reform Party, which has dominated in Tartu since 1998.