Leoluca Orlando, the former mayor of Palermo, has ruled out running in the upcoming municipal elections, dismissing recent speculation about a return to city hall. “I am not running, and I will not be mayor of Palermo again,” Orlando stated in a conversation near the offices of LiveSicilia, according to the publication.
Orlando, who served as mayor of Palermo on multiple occasions, including a significant 22-year period ending in 2022, emphasized the demand for Palermo to rediscover a sense of community. He lamented a shift away from a shared identity, noting a decline in the collective expression of being “Palermitani,” beyond events like sporting matches or the Festa di Santa Rosalia. He attributed this to a broader trend of egoism, both locally, and globally.
The former mayor linked this local shift to a wider international context, criticizing the rise of “sovereignism, negative independence, and the cult of force over law.” He described these trends as having “terribly clear” consequences.
While declining to re-enter the political arena himself, Orlando offered a prescription for the center-left coalition preparing for the election: primary elections. He argued that primaries should be held well in advance of the vote – “a year, a year and a half before” – to allow any chosen candidate sufficient time to engage with the city and develop a comprehensive platform.
Orlando declined to suggest potential candidates. He acknowledged that his long political history and independent streak might be perceived as a hindrance to the center-left, stating he is seen as “divisive” by some due to his refusal to conform to traditional political allegiances. He described himself as a “dog without a collar,” remaining consistent in his principles. He characterized the role of a mayor as both an administrator for the majority that elected them and, fundamentally, “the father of the city.”
Orlando recounted instances during his previous tenures where he enforced strict rules within his office, prohibiting displays of his image and discouraging staff participation in his electoral initiatives. He cited an example from 1985, when he intervened in school rental agreements involving questionable figures, and promptly dismissed a constituent who began a conversation by stating they had voted for him.
He described his continued political relevance as a matter of “spiritual survival,” contrasting it with the sacrifices made by Sicilians who gave their lives for noble causes. Orlando reflected on a shift in his own perspective over time, noting that his initial focus on European integration has broadened to recognize Palermo’s unique position as a city with a “global vocation” and a connection to the hopes of the Southern Hemisphere.
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