Rome gets first woman mayor in win for protest party

Rome's first female mayor promised “a new era” for the city today as she swept to victory on a tide of anger over political corruption and deteriorating services.

Virginia Raggi, of the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, won the city hall election with almost 67 per cent of the vote. It dealt a serious blow to Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and his Democratic Party, whose candidate Roberto Giachetti was backed by only a third of voters.

Ms Raggi, a 37-year-old lawyer, said: “I will be a mayor for all Romans. I will restore legality and transparency to the city’s institutions after 20 years of poor governance. With us a new era is opening.” She will find a city mired in debts of more than €13 billion (£10 billion), a figure twice its annual budget.

Dozens of people, including local politicians, have been implicated in graft probes into city contracts. The previous mayor, Democrat Ignazio Marino resigned in October over an expenses scandal. Romans are also angry over rubbish, potholes, and the state of public transport and housing.