Democrat Zohran Mamdani officially took office as New York City’s mayor on Thursday, beginning his term with a public swearing-in ceremony on the steps of City Hall.

Mamdani, 34, the city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor and first immigrant to hold the office in half a century, pledged to focus on cost-of-living issues and a liberal policy agenda. He is a member of the Democratic Party’s left-wing socialist faction.

The public ceremony on the steps of City Hall included thousands of attendees along a stretch of Broadway, with music, performances, and interfaith elements. U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders presided over the swearing-in, praising Mamdani’s campaign and urging New Yorkers to “stand up” to achieve change. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez highlighted the historic nature of Mamdani’s election, describing it as “a new era for New York City” and emphasising his focus on affordability.

Mamdani took the oath of office on the Quran, administered by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, following a symbolic private swearing-in at Manhattan’s Old City Hall subway station just after midnight.

During the ceremony, Mamdani outlined key policy priorities, including universal childcare, rent stabilization, and expanded public transit, saying he would govern as a democratic socialist while protecting all New Yorkers.

He emphasised inclusivity, noting the city’s diversity: residents speak Pashto, Mandarin, Yiddish, Creole, and worship across mosques, synagogues, churches, gurdwaras, and temples.

The ceremony coincided with the swearing-in of Mark Levine as New York City Comptroller and Jumaane Williams as Public Advocate.

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Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, to Indian immigrant parents and moved to New York at age seven. He became a U.S. citizen in 2018. He previously represented parts of Queens in the New York State Assembly after winning election in 2020.

He defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in the November 4 mayoral election, marking a significant victory for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.

During his campaign, Mamdani pledged free public buses, city-run grocery stores, rent-stabilised housing, and a minimum wage increase to $30 per hour by 2030.

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