Rome’s first female mayor pledges to fight corruption

An anti-establishment newcomer, Virginia Raggi, capitalising on anger about political corruption and deteriorating city services, trounced Italy premier Matteo Renzi’s candidate in Rome’s mayoral run-off. Raggi has become the first woman to head City Hall in the Italian capital.

With 80% of ballots counted from Sunday’s election, Raggi, of the 5-Star Movement, led by a 2-to-1 margin. Her rival, Democrat Roberto Giachetti, who was backed by Renzi, conceded defeat less than an hour after polls closed.

Giachetti called Raggi to wish her luck. Dozens of people, including local politicians from the Democrats, right-wing parties and other political forces, have been implicated in corruption probes of city contracts.