Rome: Gualtieri stands for re-election as mayor and opens the door to the M5S and Azione

“Rome, let’s all move forward”. With this slogan, Mayor Roberto Gualtieri launched his campaign for a second term at the Campidoglio, at the Auditorium della Conciliazione, ahead of the 2027 local elections. “I have decided to stand for re-election to continue transforming the city, with people at the heart of it all,” he said from the stage. He claimed to have “a great deal of trust” and explained that his experience as mayor has also changed his “relationship with people”.

The political highlight of the day was the composition of the audience. Present in the chamber were the forces supporting the City Council majority: the PD, AVS alongside Europa Verde and Sinistra Italiana, Sinistra Civica Ecologista, Demos, Italia Viva and Più Uno, as well as various associations and committees. Seated alongside them were delegations from two parties currently in opposition. Representing the Five Star Movement were the Rome coordinator Linda Meleo, MP Francesco Silvestri and the Rome City Council group, with the exception of former mayor Virginia Raggi. Representing Azione were the Rome secretary Alessio D’Amato, MP Valentina Grippo and the city councillors.

Gualtieri addressed them directly. He thanked them for ‘the way in which they have conducted their opposition’ and for having initiated ‘a dialogue, a shared path’. The stated aim goes beyond strengthening the current majority: “My aim is for our friends from the M5S and Azione present here to be part of this challenge”, for a coalition that is “broad, inclusive and open to a wider range of political forces”. According to the mayor, the city’s transformation “must continue and, at the same time, must become increasingly broad-based and inclusive”. For the time being, the two parties have not formally joined the coalition.

In his programme, the mayor highlighted three areas, all linked to relations with the government. On housing, he called for ‘a different government’ capable of launching ‘a different housing plan’. He also called on the EU to intervene and compel national governments to take action when cities or regions are in difficulty. On climate change, he described the right as ‘backward-looking’ and identified ‘removing paving and creating more green spaces’ as a priority. On transport, he announced that he would ask the government for funding for a public transport system that has been ‘shamefully neglected’. He then criticised the new Highway Code: in his view, it would reduce pedestrian safety and ‘strip local authorities and regions of their power and autonomy’.

Sitting in the front row was the PD’s secretary, Elly Schlein. Speaking on the sidelines, she pledged her ‘full support’ for the mayor, including in his ‘efforts to further broaden the majority’. Among those present for the PD were, amongst others, Nicola Zingaretti, Beatrice Lorenzin, Matteo Orfini and the party’s Rome and regional secretaries, Enzo Foschi and Daniele Leodori. Italia Viva was represented by Roberto Giachetti, Luciano Nobili and Marianna Madia.