The initial swearing-in, at one of New York’s original subway stops, was rich in symbolism: the choice of the venue was meant to embody the idea of NYC’s leaders — will Mr Mamdani join this august league? Indeed, during the course of much of his charismatic and imaginative campaign to become mayor, Mr Mamdani had focused on bread-and-butter issues, such as high rent, affordability and corruption. This will give Mr Mamdani some elbow room to focus on some of his other objectives on welfare that his critics pan as populist and ambitious. It would be erroneous to view Mr Mamdani’s successes or failures through a narrow, city-centric prism. In the days to come, the eyes of not only America but also the world will be on Mr Mamdani.

Source: The Telegraph January 02, 2026 02:03 UTC