Mayor of Rome

Mayor of Rome is the head of the municipal government of the City of Rome, the capital of Italy. The mayor is elected by the city's residents and is responsible for local administration, public services, and representing the city. The office is based in the historic Palazzo Senatorio on the Capitoline Hill.

History

The modern office was established following the Capture of Rome in 1870, which completed the unification of Italy and ended the temporal power of the Pope. The first mayor was Francesco Rospigliosi Pallavicini, a nobleman appointed by royal decree. During the Fascist era, mayors were replaced by government-appointed Podestà, a system abolished after World War II. The office was reinstated with the election of Luigi Petroselli in 1979, marking a return to democratic local leadership. Key historical figures include Ernesto Nathan, a prominent mayor from the Italian Republican Party, and Giulio Carlo Argan, the first Communist to hold the office. The role has evolved significantly, especially with the direct election of mayors introduced by national law in 1993.

Election and term of office

The mayor is elected every five years through a two-round system of universal suffrage, as established by the national Local Government Act. If no candidate receives an absolute majority in the first round, a run-off is held between the top two contenders. The mayor can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. The election is held concurrently with that of the City Council, whose members are elected from party lists. Recent elections have seen victories for candidates from the Democratic Party, such as Walter Veltroni and Ignazio Marino, as well as from the Five Star Movement, like Virginia Raggi. The electoral process is overseen by the Italian Ministry of the Interior.

Powers and duties

The mayor possesses executive powers, presiding over the Municipal Executive Board and implementing the policies of the City Council. Key responsibilities include urban planning, maintenance of public spaces like the Appian Way, and managing local transport through agencies like ATAC. The mayor also oversees cultural institutions such as the Capitoline Museums and major events like the Rome Film Festival. As the city's highest representative, the mayor interacts with national bodies like the Italian Government and international organizations including the Food and Agriculture Organization headquartered in Rome. The mayor can issue ordinances in emergencies and is the local authority for civil protection.

List of mayors

Since the office's modern inception, Rome has had numerous mayors from various political backgrounds. Notable holders include the liberal Giovanni Angelini and the Christian Democrat Amerigo Petrucci. The late 20th century saw leaders like Francesco Rutelli of the The Daisy party. In the 21st century, mayors have included Gianni Alemanno from the The People of Freedom party and Virginia Raggi, the first female mayor elected from the Five Star Movement. The current mayor, Roberto Gualtieri of the Democratic Party, was elected in 2021. A complete chronological list is maintained by the Archivio Storico Capitolino.

See also

* Governorate of Vatican City * Metropolitan City of Rome Capital * History of Rome * Politics of Italy * Rioni of Rome

Category:Mayors of Rome Category:Government of Rome Category:Local government in Italy