by In Trieste
As Trieste prepares for local elections on 3-4 October, we take a look at all the 10 contenders for the city’s top job.
The current mayor Roberto Dipiazza, in the final days of his five-year term, is seeking re-election. He is backed by an alliance of three parties on the right, Fratelli d’Italia, the Lega and Forza Italia.
However he faces tough competition from three other candidates. Francesco Russo is the leader of the centre-left Partito Democratico (PD). Riccardo Laterza, is the candidate of Adesso Trieste. Alessandra Richetti is backed by Movimento 5 Stelle, Five Star Movement, whose president is former PM Giuseppe Conte.
Mayor Roberto Dipiazza, 68, is a self-made entrepreneur (he owns various Despar stores around the city) and politician. Former Mayor of Muggia in 1996-2001 for one five-years term, and Mayor of Trieste in 2001-2011 for two five-years consecutives term, he was elected again in 2016 for a new (third) five-years term. This could be his last term as per constitution. Dipiazza is supported by an alliance of three parties on the right, Fratelli d’Italia, the Lega and Forza Italia. Dipiazza promises to continue “doing good for the city” he loves.
Francesco Russo, 52, is an Associate Professor at the University of Udine and politician. After years in parliament in Rome, Russo came back to Trieste and worked as a vice president of Area Science park. Russo is supported by Partito Democratico of Trieste (PD), Italia Viva and Open FVG. If elected, he promises to create work opportunities for the young, get funds from EU for our city’s development and infrastructure and bring Trieste its former glory as the “port of Europe”. Russo runs a well-oiled, well-funded election campaign, surrounding himself with people qualified for their roles rather than being recognizable faces. Like Dipiazza, he has a combative character. He is skilled in the arts of social media, where his rivals frequently face the receiving end of his biting sarcasm.
Alessandra Richetti, 58, is one of the three female mayoral candidates in Trieste. Richetti is supported by Movimento Cinque Stelle, or the Five Star Movement, which is a populist, antiestablishment, and Euro-skeptic party. She believes that Trieste is not ready for a female mayor, however, if elected, she promises to make Trieste more livable, more attractive to tourists, and give voice to all neighborhoods of our city.
Riccardo Laterza, 28, is the youngest candidate in these elections. A graduate researcher at Instituto di Sociologia Internazionale di Gorizia, Laterza is supported by his Adesso Trieste, which the local press called “this year’s revelation”. Adesso Trieste promises to ameliorate Trieste by implementing fair economy, finding solutions to climate crisis, focusing on social security and innovative ways of social cooperation.
Arlon Stok, 36, is a mayoral candidate supported by Podemo. After studies abroad, Stok created Podemo to make Trieste more international, promote multilingual education and open the Old Port to foreign investments. Podemo hopes to give voice to all underrepresented in Trieste.
Ugo Rossi, 30, is a mayoral candidate from Udine and is supported by VVV (Vacini Vogliamo Verità- Vaccines We Want the Truth) party. Rossi doesn’t believe in pandemics, masks and promises to make Trieste “restrictions and green pass-free” if elected.
Franco Bandelli, 61, is a local entrepreneur and politician. Bandelli is backed by his Futura party, which promises to make Trieste “greener and more livable”. Founder of “Bavisella” (yearly half marathon from Aurisina to Trieste), Bandelli believes Trieste needs more green spaces and urban requalification. “My commitment is to look at the Trieste of the future by putting its citizens at the centre of my project” – Bandelli said in a recent interview with In Trieste – “Trieste is a city that needs to be reassembled piece by piece.”
Tiziana Cimolino, is one of the three female mayoral candidates in Trieste. Cimolino is Europa Verde’s candidate. General practitioner, Cimolino has been part of the local environmental movement for years. Sustainable mobility, free public transport and support to workers and people in need are all part of her election manifesto.
Giorgio Marchesich, 68, is a mayoral candidate supported by Federazione del Territorio Libero di Trieste (The Free Territory of Trieste party). An experienced politician, if elected he promises to bring Trieste back to its former glory, making Trieste a free city once again.
Aurora Marconi, 76, is Trieste Verde’s (Green Trieste) candidate. Her campaign proposals are concentrated on environment and giving support to the destitute. Marconi also suggests giving voice and more power to the neighborhoods of Trieste through representation in administration.
Please see here how to vote in the upcoming mayoral elections in Trieste.
