German contender proceeds to final round in Florence election.
Going from museum director to politician, German candidate Eike Schmidt is vying for the role of mayor in Florence, Italy. The odds seem promising for the 56-year-old, as he ranks second in the runoff, backed by a right-wing party.
In the mayoral election for Florence, Eike Schmidt has managed to secure a spot in the runoff as a candidate for a citizens' list with the support of a right-wing party. At 32.5-36.5% of the votes, as predicted by Rai, the television broadcaster, Schmidt won't go head-to-head with the top candidate from the first round – the Social Democratic contender, Sara Funaro – until the 23rd and 24th of June.
Located in the city with around 360,000 residents, Florence is generally leant towards the left in its voting patterns. Hence, Funaro is thought to have a stronger chance of winning. The Social Democratic sitting mayor, Dario Nardella, was unable to run for re-election after serving two terms.
The right-wing coalition, made up of three groups and helmed by Minister President Giorgia Meloni, is behind Schmidt. Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy), her party, originates from the post-fascist movement. In his eight-year tenure as Uffizi Museum's director, he headed one of the world's most significant museums. He's presently in charge of the Capodimonte Museum in Naples, having started this position in January. Schmidt is currently on leave.
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In the ongoing mayoral elections in Florence, Italy, German candidate Eike Schmidt, currently on leave from his position at the Capodimonte Museum in Naples, is gaining support from the right-wing coalition led by Fratelli d'Italia, whose party leader is Italian Minister President Giorgia Meloni. Following close behind the top candidate from the first round, Schmidt aims to challenge Social Democratic contender Sara Funaro in the final elections on June 23rd and 24th.
