Two bodies of local government make the important decisions for the City of Graz: the City of Graz Council with 56 members, and the 9-member City of Graz Senate.
The residents of Graz elect the City Council for a 5-year term, and the City Council then elects the Mayor and the members of the City Senate. The City Council meets once every month (except during the summer recess) and its meetings are open to the public.