From Budapest to Barcelona, mayors are increasingly being thrust onto the political frontlines, taking on issues such as the rise of the far right, housing crises, and environmental concerns. In Budapest, the mayor made headlines by calling for defiance of the government's ban on Pride. In Barcelona, a bold plan aims to eliminate tourist flats by late 2028. Paris has undergone a drastic makeover, including making the Seine swimmable and transforming car-clogged riverbanks into pedestrian-friendly areas.
Jaume Collboni, the mayor of Barcelona, noted that mayors are realising their new role involves tackling global problems with local solutions. He highlighted the soaring cost of housing as a common concern, which led to the creation of Mayors for Housing, an alliance of 17 European mayors seeking solutions. 'We're the ones on the frontlines of citizens' daily lives,' Collboni said, explaining why mayors are increasingly taking the lead.
This elevated profile has also drawn mayors into culture wars. Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo's green initiatives were praised by progressives but faced opposition from far-right and centre-right forces. Collboni sees cities as bastions of progressive, inclusive societies, contrasting their practical solutions with far-right scapegoating. 'The difference is that hate speech has made inroads, along with division and confrontation,' he warned.
Ricky Burdett, director of LSE Cities, attributes the growing significance of mayors to urban population growth (70% expected to live in cities by 2050) and their frontline role in crises such as floods, fires, and refugee influxes. He noted that cities' financial capacities are often under threat due to reduced income and power struggles. In response, the Bloomberg LSE European City Leadership Initiative launched in October, providing a programme for mayors across Europe, building on a similar Harvard initiative from 2018.
