The Mayor of Potenza is an elected politician who, along with the Potenza's City Council, is accountable for the strategic government of Potenza in Basilicata, Italy, capital city of the region. The current Mayor is Mario Guarente from the far-right party Lega Nord, who took office on 20 June 2019.
Former Prime Minister Emilio Colombo held the office of Mayor in 1952.
Overview
According to the Italian Constitution, the Mayor of Potenza is member of the City Council.
The Mayor is elected by the population of Potenza, who also elect the members of the City Council, controlling the Mayor's policy guidelines and is able to enforce his resignation by a motion of no confidence. The Mayor is entitled to appoint and release the members of his government.
Since 1995 the Mayor is elected directly by Potenza's electorate: in all mayoral elections in Italy in cities with a population higher than 15,000 the voters express a direct choice for the mayor or an indirect choice voting for the party of the candidate's coalition. If no candidate receives at least 50% of votes, the top two candidates go to a second round after two weeks. The election of the City Council is based on a direct choice for the candidate with a preference vote: the candidate with the majority of the preferences is elected. The number of the seats for each party is determined proportionally.
Italian Republic (since 1946)
City Council election (1946-1995) From 1946 to 1995, the Mayor of Potenza was elected by the City's Council.
Direct election (since 1995) Since 1995, under provisions of new local administration law, the Mayor of Potenza is chosen by direct election.