A new dawn for New York in the new year: how Zohran Mamdani’s socialist policies are shaping the future
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Dec 29, 2025, 20:49 IST
New York New Years
Image credit : AP
In a historic moment, Zohran Mamdani will take the oath as the first Muslim mayor of New York City, marking a significant milestone in local governance. With the ambitious aim of reshaping the city through his Democratic Socialist platform, Mamdani is set to tackle the soaring cost of living, prioritizing rent freezes and affordable housing solutions.
Zohran Mamdani is set to become New York City's first Muslim mayor on Thursday, ushering in a four-year term with high expectations for his Democratic Socialist platform. He will be sworn in by New York Attorney General Letitia James shortly after midnight on New Year's Eve, with Senator Bernie Sanders presiding over a midday ceremony outside City Hall. Mamdani's platform focuses on addressing the city's high cost of living, including proposals for rent freezes and affordable housing construction.
New York Attorney General Letitia James will swear in the new mayor just after midnight on New Year's Eve. James is a friend to Mamdani and has been a foe to President Donald Trump, having recently sued him.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders will preside over a ceremony outside City Hall at midday.
A neighborhood celebration will echo "one of his core messages... that this is a great city, and we like living here," said Lincoln Mitchell, a Columbia University political science professor.
Mamdani, an avowed socialist, campaigned on tackling the prohibitive cost of living in the metropolis of 8.5 million. His policy agenda includes freezing rent on over a million apartments. However, the support of the city board that handles rent control, which is filled with appointees of outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, remains uncertain.
Details regarding Mamdani's other campaign promises, such as the construction of 200,000 units of affordable housing, universal access to childcare, publicly owned supermarkets, and free buses, have not yet been fully outlined.
Mamdani benefits from an excellent relationship with New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who approves measures like the tax hikes he is seeking.
"Once an election is over, symbolism only goes so far with voters. Results begin to matter a whole lot more," said New York University lecturer John Kane.
Despite expectations to the contrary, a late November meeting between President Donald Trump and Mamdani in the Oval Office was described as cordial and calm.
"Mamdani wisely sought a point of common ground with Trump: wanting to make New York City a better place to live," New York University lecturer John Kane stated.
John Kane added that Trump "can be surprisingly gregarious toward those that he perceives to have little leverage over."
Federal immigration officers' increasing activity in New York could become a point of contention.
At 34 years old, Mamdani is one of New York's youngest mayors, and his political experience is limited, having previously served as a local representative in the State Assembly. To compensate for his shorter resume, he is assembling a team of seasoned aides recruited from past mayoral administrations and former President Joe Biden's administration.
Mamdani has already initiated discussions with business leaders, some of whom had predicted a significant departure of wealthy New Yorkers if he won the election. Leaders in the real estate sector have recently debunked these claims.
As a defender of Palestinian rights, the mayor, who is Muslim and of Indian origin, will need to reassure the Jewish community about his inclusive leadership style. A recent hire resigned after it was revealed she had posted antisemitic tweets years ago.
"The mayor of New York is always a cultural figure," Mitchell observed.
Mamdani has already embraced some cultural aspects of his generation, including brief forays into rap music and improv classes in Manhattan. He has also been noted for wearing what The New York Times described as "the quintessential entry-level suit for a 30-something striving to be taken seriously."
New Yorkers have also expressed approval for his enthusiastic support of his wife, Syrian-born artist Rama Duwaji. Her Instagram account has seen a surge in followers, gaining over a million since November, according to Social Blade statistics.
Rama Duwaji recently graced the cover of The Cut, New York magazine's respected fashion and culture publication, marking her own path. This is seen as a hallmark of young generations of city dwellers striving to succeed.
"At the end of the day, I’m not a politician. I'm here to be a support system for Z and to use the role in the best way that I can as an artist," she said.
New York Attorney General Letitia James will swear in the new mayor just after midnight on New Year's Eve. James is a friend to Mamdani and has been a foe to President Donald Trump, having recently sued him.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders will preside over a ceremony outside City Hall at midday.
A neighborhood celebration will echo "one of his core messages... that this is a great city, and we like living here," said Lincoln Mitchell, a Columbia University political science professor.
Mamdani, an avowed socialist, campaigned on tackling the prohibitive cost of living in the metropolis of 8.5 million. His policy agenda includes freezing rent on over a million apartments. However, the support of the city board that handles rent control, which is filled with appointees of outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, remains uncertain.
Details regarding Mamdani's other campaign promises, such as the construction of 200,000 units of affordable housing, universal access to childcare, publicly owned supermarkets, and free buses, have not yet been fully outlined.
Mamdani benefits from an excellent relationship with New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who approves measures like the tax hikes he is seeking.
"Once an election is over, symbolism only goes so far with voters. Results begin to matter a whole lot more," said New York University lecturer John Kane.
Despite expectations to the contrary, a late November meeting between President Donald Trump and Mamdani in the Oval Office was described as cordial and calm.
"Mamdani wisely sought a point of common ground with Trump: wanting to make New York City a better place to live," New York University lecturer John Kane stated.
John Kane added that Trump "can be surprisingly gregarious toward those that he perceives to have little leverage over."
Federal immigration officers' increasing activity in New York could become a point of contention.
At 34 years old, Mamdani is one of New York's youngest mayors, and his political experience is limited, having previously served as a local representative in the State Assembly. To compensate for his shorter resume, he is assembling a team of seasoned aides recruited from past mayoral administrations and former President Joe Biden's administration.
Mamdani has already initiated discussions with business leaders, some of whom had predicted a significant departure of wealthy New Yorkers if he won the election. Leaders in the real estate sector have recently debunked these claims.
As a defender of Palestinian rights, the mayor, who is Muslim and of Indian origin, will need to reassure the Jewish community about his inclusive leadership style. A recent hire resigned after it was revealed she had posted antisemitic tweets years ago.
"The mayor of New York is always a cultural figure," Mitchell observed.
Mamdani has already embraced some cultural aspects of his generation, including brief forays into rap music and improv classes in Manhattan. He has also been noted for wearing what The New York Times described as "the quintessential entry-level suit for a 30-something striving to be taken seriously."
New Yorkers have also expressed approval for his enthusiastic support of his wife, Syrian-born artist Rama Duwaji. Her Instagram account has seen a surge in followers, gaining over a million since November, according to Social Blade statistics.
Rama Duwaji recently graced the cover of The Cut, New York magazine's respected fashion and culture publication, marking her own path. This is seen as a hallmark of young generations of city dwellers striving to succeed.
"At the end of the day, I’m not a politician. I'm here to be a support system for Z and to use the role in the best way that I can as an artist," she said.