“This sash is an honor.” The first words of Elena Carnevali as mayor of Bergamo, the first woman in the Orobic capital, were pronounced shortly after 5pm, in the Sala Specchi of Palazzo Frizzoni, the seat of the town hall where the proclamation took place yesterday afternoon. A necessary act, but less formal than what usually happens. The applause that accompanied the inauguration and above all the heartfelt embrace of the outgoing mayor, Giorgio Gori, on his way to Brussels after the election to the European elections, were the backdrop to the appointment as mayor by Cesare De Sapia, president of the Court of Bergamo. “I will be mayor of all the citizens, I will seek close collaboration with everyone – said Carnevali –. They will be years of great commitment: I started here in 1999 and today returning here with this position is truly exciting. I thank those who accompanied me in this victory.” Gori, its first supporter, underlined the “importance” of this day: “Bergamo has its first female mayor. I am very happy: many have accompanied you on this path that has brought you this far and for them this is a day of hope and satisfaction”.
Elena Carnevali, candidate of the centre-left (and civic), became mayor of Bergamo in the first round thanks to 54.95% of the preferences, beating the exponent of the centre-right, Andrea Pezzotta, who stopped at 42.24%. The candidate of the 5 Star Movement, Vittorio Apicella, collected 2.80%. Carnevali won in all the districts of the city with the exception of the Colli, where she won the centre-right (20-1 in the final). The mayor of Bergamo has reached the peak of consensus in the areas of Loreto and Monterosso, exceeding the 60% ceiling. The overwhelming victory also determined the distribution of seats that will form the new municipal council: 20 to the centre-left, 11 to the centre-right, ten plus Pezzotta who confirmed his presence on the opposition benches. However, the 5 Stars are excluded. The first meeting of the city council will be held, as required by law, within 20 days (10 days for the convocation and another 10 days for the meeting). The council will also be decided on that date.
The mayor has chosen to take all the time to evaluate councilors and delegates. But, beyond rumors that smack of gossip, unless there are last-minute changes, two names are certain. And these are confirmations compared to the Gori Administration. The first is that of Sergio Gandi, outgoing deputy mayor and councilor with important powers in the management of the municipality: security and budget. The other one who is almost certain to return to Elena Carnevali’s team is Marcella Messina, fresh from her experience in social policies. The appointment of Francesco Valesini is also more than likely. Ten years with Gori and a sector like urban planning which is preparing to reap the result of the projects financed with Pnrr expiring in 2026 cannot be set aside. Then there are two other strong candidates. Marzia Marchesi, councilor for greenery and residential construction, collected the record of personal preferences in the Democratic Party: 1,233. Hard to ignore. Just as there are strong possibilities for Ferruccio Rota, who held the role of president of the city council. For him, we are thinking about delegating public works.
