Pierluigi Biondi to step down as Mayor of L'Aquila

Pierluigi Biondi, the Mayor of L'Aquila, has announced he will step down from his position in less than a year following the completion of his second term. Biondi has led the city for ten years, a period that covered much of the critical reconstruction efforts following the devastating 2009 earthquake.

Speaking from Brussels in his capacity as a delegate for the European Conservatives and Reformists group, Biondi reflected on the city's transformation. He noted that L'Aquila has moved from an emergency reconstruction phase toward a period of economic, academic, and cultural development. He highlighted the city's growing attractiveness to international students and the increase in year-round tourism, beyond traditional seasonal events.

In addition to his local leadership, Biondi holds roles within the Fratelli d'Italia party and maintains political influence at the European level. He described his legacy as leaving behind a city that “has known how to dream and take risks,” citing the successful completion of major works and the city's designation as the Italian Capital of Culture for 2026.