Francesco Italia

Francesco Italia (born 11 September 1972) is an Italian journalist and politician who has served as the Mayor of Syracuse since 2018, and is a member of Action. Prior to his tenure as mayor he served as deputy mayor under Mayor Giancarlo Garozzo from 2013 to 2018. Before he lived in Syracuse he was active in Milan, where he ran for office and was the manager of GAY.tv.

Francesco Italia was born in Milan, Italy, on 11 September 1972.^[1] He graduated with a law degree from the University of Milan^[2][3] and was the manager of GAY.tv.^[2][4] Carlo Taormina and Carla De Albertis, both members of the Chamber of Deputies, criticised Italia and GAY.tv in 2004, stating that he was "screwed up in the head" and that he was abnormal for being gay.^[5]

Italia ran for office in Milan in the 2006 election as a member of the Lista Civica Moratti before moving to Syracuse in 2008.^[2][6]

Mayor Giancarlo Garozzo appointed Italia as the deputy mayor of Syracuse in 2013.^[7] During Garozzo's administration Italia worked in the tourism, culture, entertainment, and sports department and with UNESCO.^[7]

In the 2018 Syracuse mayoral election Garozzo declined to seek reelection. Italia, with the support of centre-left parties, defeated Ezechia Paolo Reale, who was supported by centre-right parties, in the runoff. Giovanni Randazzo, Fabio Moschella, and Fabio Granata, who were all candidates in the first round, endorsed him in the runoff.^[7] With the support of five civic lists, including three from his opponents in the first round, was reelected in 2023, after defeating Ferdinando Messina in the runoff. Italia is a member of Action.^[8]