German museum director Schmidt wants to become mayor of Florence
Published: Saturday, Apr 6th 2024, 13:10
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The long-time museum director of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Eike Schmidt, wants to become mayor of the major Italian city in Tuscany. The German-Italian announced his candidacy for the election in June on Saturday after months of speculation. The 56-year-old is entering the race for the center-right camp of Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The city of 360,000 inhabitants is currently governed by the left. According to the polls, however, there could be a change.
Schmidt was director of the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most visited museums in the world, from 2015 until the end of last year, but was then unable to extend his contract. The art historian then moved to the National Museum in Naples in the same role.
Born in Freiburg, he is married to an Italian woman and has also had Italian citizenship since last year. His previous positions include museums in Washington and Los Angeles. He holds an honorary professorship at the Humboldt University in Berlin.
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