New York Mayor Mamdani vows to enact democratic socialist agenda

Democrat Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City’s mayor on Thursday, January 1, pledging during a public ceremony at City Hall to pursue an ambitious agenda aimed at making the nation’s largest city more affordable for working families.

Mamdani, 34, a member of the Democratic Party’s left-wing democratic socialist faction, won last November’s high-profile election in a victory that could influence this year’s U.S. midterm elections. While some Democrats have welcomed his political approach, Republicans have framed him as a national foil.

Campaigning heavily on cost-of-living issues, Mamdani was sharply critical of Republican former President Donald Trump, whose approval rating has dropped amid economic concerns.

In his swearing-in speech, Mamdani outlined key campaign promises, including universal childcare, affordable rents, and free bus service. “We will answer to all New Yorkers, not to any billionaire or oligarch who thinks they can buy our democracy,” he said. “I was elected as a democratic socialist, and I will govern as a democratic socialist.”

Despite freezing temperatures, the city set up a viewing area along Broadway for thousands of residents to watch a livestream of the ceremony, which featured musical performances.

-Production: Aleksandra Michalska, Hussein Waaile, Geraldine Downer/Reuters