Giorgio Morales

Giorgio Morales (26 March 1932 – 29 November 2020) was an Italian politician who served as Mayor of Florence from 1989 to 1995.

Giorgio Morales
Mayor of Florence
In office 2 October 1989 – 24 April 1995
Preceded by	Massimo Bogianckino
Succeeded by	Mario Primicerio
Personal details
Born	26 March 1932 La Spezia, Italy
Died	29 November 2020 (aged 88) Florence, Italy
Political party	Popular Unity (till 1957) Socialist (1957-1994) Forza Italia (1995-1999) SDI (1999-2007) Socialist (2007-2020)

Career

Morales began his political life at a very early age joining the Popular Unity party and then in 1957 enrolled in the Italian Socialist Party.

After graduating in Political Science from the Cesare Alfieri Institute of the University of Florence, in 1970 he was appointed coordinator of the Legislative Office of the Regional Council.

He was elected municipal councilor in Florence uninterrupted between 1975 and 1989. He served as councilor for decentralization in 1975, with Mayor Elio Gabbuggiani, then became deputy mayor from 1979 to 1983. He was the councilor to culture under the Florentine mayors Alessandro Bonsanti, Lando Conti, and Massimo Bogianckino.

Morales was elected Mayor of Florence twice: in 1989 he succeeded Bogianckino, supported by the same parties (PCI, PSI, PSDI, and PLI);[1] in 1990 he then formed a Pentapartito junta (DC, PSI, PSDI, PRI, and PLI).[2] He ran again for the office of Mayor in 1995 supported by Forza Italia and the Italian People's Party,[3] but was defeated by Mario Primicerio.[4] From 1995 to 1999 he sat in the city council.

Giorgio Morales was an advocate for culture with a passion for refined wines and art books. As Valdo Spini was the first candidate to be considered as mayor of Florence; it was Bettino Craxi who recommended Morales as the appropriate alternative to Spini, believing that having Spini as mayor would set a dangerous precedent for following alliances.[5]

Morales, along with the entire city council, resigned from governing Florence in 1990 amidst a time of racial strains and anti-immigration shortly after a violent attack on African immigrants.[6] Immediately prior to Morales' resignation, members of his coalition were unsupportive of his wanting to “militarize” downtown Florence, a popular tourist location.[7] The task force would be in place to combat deterioration of the historic center and prevent violence as well as other crimes such as vandalism and sexual assaults.[8] Upon leaving, Morales expressed his contentment with additional efforts to control racist attacks and crime in Florence. Morales had managed to receive police support from Rome during his time in office, which some citizens in Florence regarded as “Florence Besieged” (William Montalbano).[7][9][10]

References

1. La Repubblica (3 October 1989). "È Giorgio Morales della sinistra del PSI il sindaco di Firenze".
2. La Repubblica (19 July 1990). "Morales succede a se stesso ma l'alleanza è ribaltata".
3. La Repubblica (18 March 1995). "Firenze, il sindaco Morales sarà il candidato del Polo".
4. elezionistorico.interno.gov.it. "1995 Comunal Elections".
5. "E' GIORGIO MORALES DELLA SINISTRA DEL PSI IL SINDACO DI FIRENZE - la Repubblica.it". Archivio - la Repubblica.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2019-03-20.
6. "Italy's Renaissance Capital Tries to Ease Racial Tension". Christian Science Monitor. 1990-05-01. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved 2019-03-20.
7. MONTALBANO, WILLIAM D. (1990-03-24). "In Florence, Racial Strife Over African Immigrants Tarnishes an Artistic Jewel : Italy: A police crackdown in a city known for its refinement sparks protest and fuels national debate". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2019-03-20.
8. tfnews (2006-11-16). "City under siege?". The Florentine. Retrieved 2019-03-20.
9. Post, JENNIFER PARMELEE, The Washington. "RACIAL TENSIONS MAR PICTURESQUE CITY OF FLORENCE". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved 2019-03-20.
10. "MONUMENTS OF FLORENCE TO GET HIGH-TECH SECURITY". Greensboro News and Record. Retrieved 2019-03-20.