The run-off election is underway

Will a German govern Florence from Monday?

Will he create a sensation? Former Uffizi director Eike Schmidt wants to become mayor of Florence.(Bild: Christoph Sator / dpa / picturedesk.com)

The run-off election for the office of mayor in Florence is taking place until Monday. Former Uffizi head Eike Schmidt, who is supported by the right-wing Meloni camp, is running against social democratic candidate Sara Funaro. The race is close. Will the German really pull off the sensational coup?

In fact, there is a good chance that the 56-year-old career changer from Freiburg will soon be calling the shots at Florence City Hall: In the first round of the Italian mayoral elections, challenger Schmidt, supported by the right-wing governing coalition led by Giorgia Meloni, took just under 33 percent of the vote. He finished in second place, behind the candidate of the social democratic Partito Democratico (PD), Sara Funaro.