Siena's New Right-Wing Government Appoints No Culture Councillor

After 70 years of left-wing rule, Siena has elected a right-wing administration under Mayor Luigi De Mossi. The new council was announced after the Palio horse race, a traditional delay tactic. Notably, no culture councillor was appointed; the mayor retained the portfolio himself. This is seen as a negative sign for cultural policy in a city that once thrived as a contemporary art hub (Palazzo delle Papesse) but has since declined. Siena faces challenges: rebuilding its identity, combating overtourism, leveraging its UNESCO hinterland (Val d'Orcia, Crete, Chianti), revitalizing spaces like Santa Maria della Scala, and engaging with private sector excellence in agrifood. The lack of a dedicated culture councillor undermines the rhetoric of change.