Zohran Mamdani, progressive, Muslim and Pro-Palestinian, claims a historic victory in the Democratic primary for the town hall of New York

Zohran Mamdani claimed a resounding victory in the Democrat primary for the town hall of New York, defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo in a very disputed primary on Tuesday evening. At 33, this son of Ugando-Indian immigrants becomes the first Muslim candidate to be able to claim the head of the largest city in the United States. Born in Kampala, Uganda, and raised in Queens, Mamdani is the son of the Indian writer Mira Nair and the Ugandan political scientist Mahmood Mamdani. Elected to the assembly of New York State since 2020 under the label of the Democratic Socialists of America, he defines himself as “progressive, Muslim and united of the Palestinian people”. A triple identity that he openly assumes in the American political arena, often causing these subjects.

His campaign was articulated around strong proposals: freeze of rents, free buses, climate justice, end of evictions, disarmament of the police. On the international scene, Mamdani took a position with clarity for the rights of the Palestinians. Support assumed to the BDS campaign, denunciation of “Israeli apartheid”, critic of American military aid in Israel: he embodies a clear break with Bipartisan consensus on foreign policy.

“I want to be the mayor of all New Yorkers, not only of those who supported me, but also of those who feel abandoned by a system that no longer speaks to them”he said on Tuesday evening, welcoming the mobilization of thousands of young people and progressive activists.

With 93 % of stripped bulletins, Mamdani was leading with 43.5 % of the vote against 36.4 % for Cuomo. The preferential voting system should further strengthen its advance, thanks to the support of the third man, Brad Lander. If his victory is confirmed, Mamdani will approach the municipal election of November 4 in a big favorite. Such a result would mark a turning point: that of a resolutely popular New York left, resulting from diversity, and carried by a global political vision-anchored in local struggles as in international solidarities.