The Mayor of Duisburg is Adolf Sauerland. He is head of administration and at the same time the city's political representative. He is elected directly by the people at the same time as the City Council and District Councils. Election is by simple majority, the candidate with more than half of the valid votes wins.

The people of Duisburg elected the City Council and District Councils on 26 September 2004. Current distribution of seats: SPD 28 seats, CDU 28 seats, GREENS 7 seats, PDS Open List 4 seats, Bürgerlich Liberale/AMP 3 seats, FDP/AMP 2 seats and Bürger Union 2004 (now: Bürger Union Duisburg)2 seats. Mayor Adolf Sauerland is Chairman of the Council. He can vote in the Council and has the casting vote.