Florence, the traditional left-leaning capital of Tuscany, is facing an unexpected challenge with the candidacy of Eike Schmidt for mayor. The former director of the Uffizi, a German figure, is running for the city council with the support of the center-right camp led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. His candidacy has sparked debate and divided Italians, given his successful tenure at the Uffizi and his recent acquisition of Italian citizenship.
Schmidt’s accomplishments have earned him recognition and praise despite being on the opposite side of the political spectrum. He plans to focus on improving security, cleanliness, and city management as well as boosting tourism in Florence. His candidacy marks a shift in the political landscape of Florence, traditionally a stronghold of the left.
Italians are generally not thrilled by German victories in football or lectures from cities like Berlin or Frankfurt about their national budget. However, they also look with admiration towards the north for its perceived efficiency and economic power. They closely follow indicators like the spread between Italian and German government bonds to gauge their local economy. Schmidt’s candidacy has stirred up unrest among Italians given their history with German dominance in art and culture through institutions like the Uffizi.
The upcoming election in June will determine whether Schmidt can secure victory and bring his pragmatic approach to city governance. It remains to be seen if he can win over Italians who are divided about his candidacy due to his past association with Germany and his current affiliation with a right-wing party.
