Zohran Mamdani, photographed at the “Pride” march that took place in New York on June 29, PHOTO: SOPA Images / ddp USA / Profimedia
The youngest mayor of the city in the last century, the first Muslim in this position and the new face of the American left, the Greek press writes about Mamdani.
Zoran Mamdani, aged 34, is the new – and highly symbolic – voice of the American political scene.
From Ugandan-born son of immigrants to democratic socialist and now mayor of the largest city in the United States, Mamdani embodies the shift of a new generation of Americans toward a more progressive, multicultural, and socially sensitive political direction.
He is the youngest mayor of New York City in the last century – and the first Muslim
Zoran Mamdani, 34, became the first Muslim mayor in New York City history and the youngest since 1892. Before being elected, he served as a member of the State Assembly from Queens, a position he was elected to in 2021.
He had previously worked as a housing counselor for low-income families, primarily of South Asian descent, and had been actively involved in progressive campaigning and social activism movements.
Some of his opponents accused him of having a “poor CV”, but his youth worked as a political advantage: his campaign relied on thousands of young volunteers, while his social media videos went viral.
It won over young people with its 'accessible city' message – but worried the business elite
Mamdani focused on the major issue of the cost of living, promising to reduce it through bold interventions: a rent freeze for much of the housing stock, free childcare, free public buses and an increase in the minimum wage to $30 an hour.
His plans will be funded, he said, by raising taxes on the wealthy. That prospect has raised concerns in Manhattan business circles, which have poured tens of millions of dollars into a political committee supporting his opponent, Andrew Cuomo.
The support of the socialists and the left wing of the democrats
Mamdani is a member of the Democratic Socialist Party of America (DSA). Although the party initially hesitated to support him as a mayoral candidate, it eventually supported his candidacy, which officially began in October 2024.
Crucial to his campaign was the support of Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who attended a large campaign rally in Queens two weeks before the election.
From Kampala to New York
Born in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani moved with his family to New York at the age of seven when his father, Mahmoud Mamdani – a distinguished academic – joined the faculty of Columbia University.
He attended Bronx High School of Science, one of the most sought-after public schools in the US, and then Bowdoin College in Maine, where he studied African Studies and co-founded the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter.
His positions on Gaza and criticism of his progressivism
Mamdani has been criticized for his views on the Middle East. He accused Israel of “genocide” in Gaza and called for the creation of a free Palestinian state.
Despite his efforts to reach out to New York's Jewish community, many of its leaders remain wary.
During the campaign, Cuomo accused him of “opening the door to Trump,” who threatened to cut city funding and send in the National Guard. Mamdani responded that he was “ready to defend New York and immigrants against any authoritarianism.”
