Mayors and votes in Rome in the 'Second Republic': an in-depth analysis

The year 1993 marked the transition from the First to the Second Italian Republic, a time of profound political, economic, and social transformation that clearly divided the 1990s into a "before" and an "after." At the heart of this history is Law No. 81, which introduced the direct election of mayors and became a cornerstone of a paradigm shift in local governance. Thirty years later, this article seeks to assess the transformations that occurred over the course of the year, offering a longitudinal analysis of electoral behavior and politics in the city of Rome. The study focuses on the nature of electoral competition and the evolution of the political spectrum that characterized subsequent elections. Particular attention is paid to the succession of mayors, the dynamics of their popular support, and how the role of the mayor was redefined and diminished, to the point of reshaping the very role of the office. The analysis also considers changes in the political class, the composition of the city council and executive bodies, and how today's "Roman politician" differs from that of the 1990s, particularly in terms of gender representation. Finally, the article reflects on the structure and legacy of Law No. 81, acknowledging its role in reshaping local government and also questioning whether its founding pact—between citizens and their mayor—may now be in a state of irreversible decline.