Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor of New York with the promise of progressive government
The new mayor, the first Muslim to hold the office, promised to govern boldly and prioritise affordable housing, public services and social justice from the outset of his term
- Inaugural speech and government priorities
- Commitment to unity and political identity
- Housing, cost of living and social justice
- Reactions, executive orders and monitoring of the mandate
Zohran Mamdani took the reins of the New York City Council in a ceremony attended by many figures from American progressive politics, despite the weather conditions affecting the city.
With this act, Mamdani officially became the first Muslim mayor of New York and one of the youngest in history. At 34 years of age, Mamdani faces the challenge of governing one of the most influential cities in the world. To this end, during his speech he recalled the promises that led him to the position he now holds: social transformation, improvement of public services and social justice as the cornerstones for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony was steeped in deep symbolism. Mamdani took the oath of office on a Koran belonging to his family, reflecting the cultural richness of New York.
Inaugural speech and government priorities
‘Today marks the beginning of a new era,’ Mamdani declared before a crowd gathered in front of City Hall, thus marking a clear distinction from previous administrations. His words not only served to inaugurate his administration, but also to emphasise the uniqueness of his rise to power, a milestone that undoubtedly enhances the significance of this moment for the diversity of New York.
During his speech, the new mayor made it clear that his administration would not be satisfied with half-measures. ‘I will not lower expectations.’ The only expectation I want to change is that of expecting little, he emphasised, expressing his intention to tackle the city's structural problems decisively, without fear of the possible political repercussions of his actions.
‘Starting today, our government will be bold and ambitious.’ Mamdani assured that his government will be fully committed to improving the lives of citizens, combating inequality and the alarming rise in the cost of living in the city.
Commitment to unity and political identity
A central pillar of his message was his commitment to all New Yorkers. We are not only going to respond to those who voted for me; if you are from New York, I am your mayor, he proclaimed, calling for unity in a city known for its diversity and, at times, its political polarisation.
Mamdani reaffirmed his political identity. ‘I was elected a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist.’ The new mayor insisted that his administration will remain faithful to its principles. In fact, he warned: ‘We will not compromise our principles for fear of being called radicals.’
Housing, cost of living and social justice
The housing crisis was, as expected, one of the main themes of his speech. The mayor promised to mobilise all the power of the municipal government to curb the housing emergency affecting millions of residents. ‘The City Council will not hesitate to use its authority to improve the lives of New Yorkers.’
In a particularly celebrated moment, Mamdani summed up his social vision: ‘For too long, freedom has been a luxury enjoyed by few. The City Council is going to change that.’ With this powerful phrase, he linked his economic proposals to a broader concept of social justice.
Reactions, executive orders and monitoring of the mandate
The start of his term has generated a variety of reactions. For his progressive colleagues, the tone and discourse were more than appropriate, while for his political detractors, it left many doubts about whether Mamdani's proposals can be implemented.
In the hours that followed, he signed his first executive orders, focused on facilitating access to housing and reversing some decisions made by the outgoing administration.
With these opening words, Zohran Mamdani has inaugurated a term that will be the subject of close scrutiny, both locally and nationally. His ability to translate this discourse into concrete policies will define the direction of New York and, in doing so, influence the political debate on the future of large cities in the United States.
