Eike Schmidt was director of the world-famous Uffizi Gallery for eight years. Now he wants to become mayor of Florence. He himself is non-party, but relies on the right-wing coalition that governs Rome as a companion.
The theater to which Eike Schmidt invited is full. It is estimated that more than a thousand supporters came to hear what the German plans to do with Florence if he is elected mayor of the city in June.
Not only does Schmidt have an unusual name by Italian standards, he has also only recently become an Italian citizen. However, he has been living in Florence for quite a while: the Freiburg native, who is married to an Italian, was director of the Uffizi for eight years.
Eike Schmidt presenting his election program.
(Photo: Andrea Affaticati)
After a short video introduction, Schmidt begins his appearance on Tuesday evening with the sentence: “My dream is to make Florence wonderful again.” This is the 55-year-old’s chosen motto: “Firenze Magnifica”, wonderful, unique Florence. He speaks of more affordable kindergartens, of afternoon care for the little ones, but also for students, of the need to have more student hostels instead of hotels for students, of a revival of the crafts to which Florence owes its uniqueness, of migrants to be included without endangering the safety of the residents. The municipal park le Cascine, which has become increasingly dangerous over the years, is to become Florence’s central park. “In the 1970s, Central Park in New York had one death per day; today it is visited by families and people of all ages,” says Schmidt.
“I don’t want to be a politician”
Although Schmidt still seems a little awkward in his rhetoric and demeanor, his suggestions and plans continue to receive applause. A kind of testimony to his abilities is his time at the Uffizi. During his two terms in office, he modernized and expanded the museum, eliminated queues and significantly increased revenue.
Nevertheless, one question is obvious: can you become a politician just like that? “I don’t want to become a politician at all,” answers Schmidt in an interview with ntv.de. “I want to become an administrator of the city and use these skills, which I have acquired for over twenty years in the museum sector and for a while in the private sector, for the city. I have always opposed the politicization of the art world and I still believe so questionable if local politics is overly politicized by major ideological national and international questions.”
Support from the right
In any case, Schmidt is not afraid of getting close to the Italian right-wing parties. Schmidt’s election program could also be supported by the Italian Social Democrats of the Democratic Party. However, he is supported by the post-fascist Fratelli d’Italia of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, by Matteo Salvini’s right-wing nationalist Lega and Forza Italia, the party of ex-head of government Silvio Berlusconi, who died last year.
How did that happen? “It wasn’t my idea to stand for election,” says Schmidt, sounding like a real politician. “The suggestion came last year, in July, from ordinary passers-by, when it became clear that this government would insist on limiting two mandates for museum directors. But many Florentines wanted me to stay on – hence the call for him to run for mayor.” At first he just saw it as an encouraging pat on the back. But as more and more people asked him to do so, he began to seriously consider what he could do for the city that he had loved since his childhood. In January he decided to enter the race.
Schmidt emphasizes that he is running as an independent candidate. The alliance of its supporters ranges “from liberal to conservative,” including citizen lists. He himself describes his program as civic-pragmatic.
“He is Italian”
Nevertheless, it remains bizarre that a nationalist party like Fratelli d’Italia wants to make a German mayor of Florence. Giovanni Donzelli, a close confidant of Prime Minister Meloni and himself a native of Florence, disputes this assumption. Without batting an eyelid, he says about Schmidt: “He’s Italian.” And to stop further objections, he repeats it again: “He’s Italian.”
Other participants at the event even see Schmidt’s background as an advantage. “We Florentines today still behave like the politically hostile Guelphs and Ghibellines from the Middle Ages,” says one woman. “That’s why someone who comes from outside has more chances.” A man adds: “This will certainly make us more heard abroad.”
The average age of those present is 50, but here and there you can also see younger people. Like the three students Marco, Lorenzo and Caterina, who were hoping for affordable accommodation from Schmidt. Or Manuele, for whom Schmidt is “a man with vision, and the city urgently needs someone like that.”
“Florence is suffocating with tourists”
The election will take place at the same time as the EU elections on June 8th and 9th. Since the center-left camp once again cannot agree on a candidate, Schmidt’s chances are not bad if he makes it to the runoff. It is said that in this case, the former mayor of Florence and ex-prime minister Matteo Renzi would call on his followers to vote for Schmidt.
Assuming he wins the race, does he really think that his current allies will give him complete freedom? “Of course not,” answers Schmidt. “You have to take your legroom. It’s like football.” But it is also clear who will be in control after a victory: “the mayor”.
If you ask around the city, feelings towards Schmidt are mixed. Franco is a decorator and has a workshop not far from the cathedral. “I think Schmidt is absolutely fine, but Florence is a difficult place. People are consumed by envy when someone is successful, so it won’t be easy for him if he wins.” One person who absolutely will not vote for him is Martina, a psychotherapist and already somewhat elderly. “When he took over the Uffizi, he promised to make the visit an upscale cultural event. Instead, he invited influencers and pop singers.” Her husband disagrees: “I’ve voted center-left my whole life. But who knows, maybe I’ll make an exception this time. I think Schmidt is very dynamic, and the city needs that.”
Maria is in her mid-20s and works as a waiter in a bar in Piazza Santo Spirito. She won’t vote. “Florence is suffocating with tourists and neither Schmidt nor anyone else will do anything about it,” she says disillusioned. “The tourists bring money and no one wants to miss that.” Antonio, who is about to organize a jam session with three friends, says he will vote, but definitely not Schmidt. On the one hand, because it is supported by the right. And on the other hand, because he doesn’t see why a foreigner should run the city.