Salis: 'I will remain mayor of Genoa for another four years'

Silvia Salis, the mayor of Genoa, has firmly stated her commitment to serving the city for her entire five-year mandate, dismissing any rumors of her pursuing national political aspirations. "I am sure that I will never change my mind, this is the mandate that this city has given me and I will carry it forward for the five years that await me," she declared during a lengthy press conference assessing her first year in office.

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I am sure that I will never change my mind, this is the mandate that this city has given me and I will carry it forward for the five years that await me.

Salis acknowledged the intense spotlight on her leadership since her election, a contrast to her predecessor Marco Bucci. "No mayor has ever been inspected from head to toe as has happened to me. I am judged by how I dress, where I eat, who I meet..." she said. Despite this pressure, she views the attention on Genoa as largely positive, pointing to increased tourism, international media interest, and a rise in museum attendance and musical events as evidence of the city's growing prominence.

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No mayor has ever been inspected from head to toe as has happened to me. I am judged by how I dress, where I eat, who I meet...

However, the mayor did not shy away from criticizing the national government. She highlighted deficiencies in public order, particularly the understaffing of law enforcement agencies, stating that the municipality is often asked to provide responses that fall under the purview of other institutions. Furthermore, Salis expressed strong disapproval of the government's immigration policies, citing a significant disparity between expulsion orders and actual repatriations. "Against 21,000 expulsion orders, there have been 4,700 repatriations," she stated, underscoring her dissatisfaction with the current approach.

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Against 21,000 expulsion orders, there have been 4,700 repatriations.