Giorgio Morales

Morales began his political life at a very early age joining the Popular Unity party and then in 1957 enrolled in the Italian Socialist Party.

After graduating in Political Science from the Cesare Alfieri Institute of the University of Florence, in 1970 he was appointed coordinator of the Legislative Office of the Regional Council.

He was elected municipal councilor in Florence uninterrupted between 1975 and 1989. He served as councilor for decentralization in 1975, with Mayor Elio Gabbuggiani, then became deputy mayor from 1979 to 1983. He was the councilor to culture under the Florentine mayors Alessandro Bonsanti, Lando Conti, and Massimo Bogianckino.

Morales was elected Mayor of Florence twice: in 1989 he succeeded Bogianckino, supported by the same parties (PCI, PSI, PSDI, and PLI);[1] in 1990 he then formed a Pentapartito junta (DC, PSI, PSDI, PRI, and PLI).[2] He ran again for the office of Mayor in 1995 supported by Forza Italia and the Italian People's Party,[3] but was defeated by Mario Primicerio.[4] From 1995 to 1999 he sat in the city council.

Giorgio Morales was an advocate for culture with a passion for refined wines and art books. As Valdo Spini was the first candidate to be considered as mayor of Florence; it was Bettino Craxi who recommended Morales as the appropriate alternative to Spini, believing that having Spini as mayor would set a dangerous precedent for following alliances.[5]

Morales, along with the entire city council, resigned from governing Florence in 1990 amidst a time of racial strains and anti-immigration shortly after a violent attack on African immigrants.[6] Immediately prior to Morales' resignation, members of his coalition were unsupportive of his wanting to “militarize” downtown Florence, a popular tourist location.[7] The task force would be in place to combat deterioration of the historic center and prevent violence as well as other crimes such as vandalism and sexual assaults.[8] Upon leaving, Morales expressed his contentment with additional efforts to control racist attacks and crime in Florence. Morales had managed to receive police support from Rome during his time in office, which some citizens in Florence regarded as “Florence Besieged” (William Montalbano).[7][9][10]