The Guardian view on Zohran Mamdani's task: a high-stakes test case for progressive ambition | Editorial

"The multiple firsts achieved by New York's new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, have been well chronicled: he is the first Muslim to occupy that role, the first south Asian and the first to be born in Africa. He is also the youngest mayor of the largest city in the United States for over a century, having received more votes in November's election than any candidate since the 1960s."

"Pledging to make New York a city we can afford, Mr Mamdani campaigned on plans to introduce free universal childcare, hugely increase the availability of cheaper housing, and generally reduce everyday costs of living for residents. In order to finance this programme, he has restated his intention to raise tax rates on the very wealthy, and on corporations."

"Linking the vision of a livable metropolis to a politics of redistribution, this approach has assembled a coalition of voters ranging from young renters to union members, migrants and the professional middle classes. Progressive parties around the world have taken note. The political dynamics of New York, the home of Wall Street and a global centre for the arts, are not straightforwardly generalisable. But the affordability agenda that delivered Mr Mamdani's flagship success has also fuelled a political revival for Democrats in states such as New Jersey and Virginia."

Zohran Mamdani is the first Muslim, first south Asian, first African-born, and the youngest mayor of New York in over a century. He received more votes than any candidate since the 1960s and represents one of the most leftwing incumbents since Fiorello La Guardia. He campaigned to make New York affordable through free universal childcare, sharply increased cheaper housing, and lower everyday living costs. He plans to finance these measures by raising taxes on the very wealthy and on corporations. His platform united young renters, union members, migrants, and professional middle classes. The affordability agenda has helped revive Democrats in several US states and strengthened centre-left gains in Europe, though New York's dynamics resist straightforward generalisation.

Read at www.theguardian.com