{ NEW YEAR, NEW MAYOR } DAUNTING TASK AHEAD Mamdani set to take over as NYC’s mayor

New York mayorelect Zohran Mamdani is set to become the US city’s first Muslim mayor, and the youthful optimism of his Democratic Socialist platform will be put to the test as he takes office on Thursday with high expectations.

- Agence France-Presse

At the stroke of midnight on ‘New Year's Eve, New York Attorney General Letitia James — friend to Mamdani, foe to President Donald Trump —will swear in the new mayor in a private ceremony at a subway stop called Old City Hall Station.

The underground venue reflects his “commitment to the working people who keep our city running every day”, his office said.

At midday, left-wing stalwart Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders will preside over a much larger swearing-in ceremony open to the public outside City Hall.

Ata neighbourhood celebration, festivities will echo “one of his core messages... that this isa great city, and we like living here’, said Lincoln Mitchell, a Columbia University political science professor.