NEW YORK – Democrat Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor of New York City on Thursday just after midnight in a brief private ceremony with his family, in which he said that serving as mayor is the “honor and privilege” of his life.

The politician of the wing The socialist was sworn in by State Attorney Letitia James, whom he considered one of his inspirations, in a historic, Spanish-designed subway station called Old City Hall, closed to the public, located beneath City Hall. The choice of location was intended to be “a testament to the importance of public transportation, the vitality, health, and legacy of our city,” stated the mayor, who signed documents and paid a nine-dollar fee to the city clerk there. Mamdani, now the 112th mayor of New York City, is at 34 the second youngest mayor in the city's history, the first of South Asian descent, and also the first Muslim. He took the oath of office using the Quran, which was held by his wife, Rama Duwaji. Before leading him through the oath, Attorney General James praised the mayor, declaring herself “proud of what he has accomplished” and confident that he will usher in “a new era of "Progress, promises, and prosperity" for the great metropolis.

The event, which lasted less than five minutes, was streamed on the mayor's office YouTube channel and appeared to end before Mamdani finished his speech. Only a few local media outlets were accredited.

According to the digital news outlet AmNY, the mayor announced the appointment of Mike Flynn, a former employee of that department specializing in pedestrian and bicycle programs, as the new head of the Department of Transportation.

Mamdani will be sworn in again today on the steps of City Hall at 1:00 p.m. local time, in a ceremony where he will be sworn in by left-wing Senator Bernie Sanders, followed by a community celebration open to the public in the streets of Lower Manhattan.

The event, which will be streamed online,Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and Comptroller-elect Mark Levine, among other political figures, will be present.

Political Earthquake

The young politician, a member of the Democratic Socialist Party of America and someone Trump labeled a “communist,” arrives at the mayor's office after four years as a state assemblyman and after working to help people with housing problems.

His arrival has also been a boost for the ailing Democratic Party, unable to find a leader to compete with Trump, and has shaken up the political landscape thanks to the strong connection he forged with his voters, both on social media and in the streets, by defending his progressive ideas.

Mamdani takes office at a time of public distrust, with inflation that has remained above the national average for the last five years, peaking at up to 6% after the pandemic, and following the resignations of several officials during the administration of Eric Adams, who was indicted on several federal charges that Trump ordered dropped.

Promises for a More Affordable City

The main promises that secured his victory are based on social justice, including free and more efficient buses in a city with high fare evasion, which will cost $3 starting January 1.

Mamdani, Ugandan by birth, also promised universal childcare, municipal supermarkets with low prices, and a rent freeze on subsidized apartments, a decision made by a board appointed by the mayor.

These measures aim to alleviate the economic burden on families and improve the quality of life in the Big Apple, although their implementation will depend on the city budget and the support of various local and state agencies.

The Immigration Problem

In addition, the young politician must face Trump's threat to cut much-needed federal funding to immigrant-friendly cities known as 'immigrant-friendly cities'. sanctuary cities.

These cities, including New York, limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, allowing them to protect undocumented residents.

In this way, a reduction in funding could affect key security, education, and social assistance programs, testing the new mayor's ability to push through his ambitious social justice proposals.