Venice Mayor Simone Venturini outlines the guidelines for his term: urban decorum, security with new police officers, a housing plan for residents, and measures against overtourism. “We need to work together to save the city.”
July 4, 2026
By Alberto Vitucci
A housing plan and decorum. A curb on overtourism and a functioning municipality. Regulations to be adjusted, projects to be completed, and the fight against moto ondoso. Maintaining a daily presence in the city. A month after his resounding first-round election, which even surprised him somewhat, Simone Venturini outlines his guidelines.
He is the youngest person to be mayor of Venice, at just 38 years old. He arrived at Ca’ Farsetti after 10 years as a councilor, and spent 15 years on the City Council. He respects and admires his father-figure predecessor, Luigi Brugnaro. But he also wants to demonstrate his independence and his appetite for innovation. He swept the elections, convincing Venetians that his was a “civic” candidacy. His allies are the center-right, but his ties to the parties aren’t so obvious. “The secret? Talk to people, listen. Always be present in the area, work. The first thing I told my councilors is that they must guarantee at least 15 hours of work a day.”
Venturini has chosen a staff of very young, tech savvy people, and has appointed the experienced Luca Zuin as his chief of staff. He walks to the office at seven in the morning, and travels by vaporetto. He has put security first. Asked about the attack launched just hours ago by Arrigo Cipriani, who saw his Frezzeria store invaded by pickpockets: “No, I won’t answer,” he smiles, “I know that in the next few days Cipriani will meet with the prefect Darco Pellos and the Security Councilor Francesca Zaccariotto.”
What was the first thing you did upon entering Ca’ Farsetti”
“I thanked everyone and developed a method. Every Monday I meet with the city’s department directors, where we have a horizontal discussion, not a top-down one. Everyone must know what the other is doing; in this complex city, the secret is to work together.”
For example?
“Decorum. I asked for greater vigor on this front. And everyone must pitch in. We have seized unauthorized items and tourist junk being sold on the streets. But that’s not enough: I want to launch a plan to protect the decorum of this city.”
What about security?
“We will soon hire another 200 police officers. But I want to see them on the streets. They will be responsible for enforcing the rules and water traffic, as well as for decorum.”
How did you feel after your electoral success?
“I wasn’t unprepared, after a long experience as a councilor. I want to put my all into this adventure, at the service of the city. It won’t be easy, but we’ll get it done.”
One of the urgent issues is tourism, the conversion of homes into tourist accommodations, and illegal rentals.
“Something has been done on this front. But we will do more. That’s why I will soon present an update to the regulations, including the City Police regulations.”
You insist on the ticket, despite criticism from the opposition.
“The entrance fee is necessary, even if it needs to be regulated and it is perhaps not enough. We will also look at reviewing exemptions and increasing the fee on peak days.”
It would be better to put a limit on arrivals…
“This isn’t possible by law. We have to make it difficult to visit during certain busy periods. That’s why the ticket is needed. As is the mandatory reservation. Not to mention that thanks to the ticket money, we haven’t increased the waste tax and we haven’t made cuts, despite energy costs having increased by 6-7 million euros this year. This is thanks to Brugnaro, who kept the budget in order.”
Residence is a major emergency for Venice.
“I know. I intend to strengthen the Housing Plan, making agreements with the Region to have ATER housing available.”
Are the city’s businesses healthy? Public transportation is struggling, with overloaded vaporetti and poor service…
“At ACTV, we have the problem of diesel costs and the lack of staff. In the next few days, we’ll meet to study changes to services and routes, which need to be adapted to the volume of people arriving.”
And Veritas?
“Veritas is working very well. We’ll have to improve services in some areas, and at certain times, and increase the number of waste bins. But the operators are excellent. They’re also our sentries in the area.”
The museums?
“Excellent management. And in any case, the Foundation’s board of directors expires next year.”
Your priorities for the coming weeks?
“We need to unblock work at the Hotel Des Bains, the Colonia Alberoni, and the Madonna Nicopeia. In Venice, the former Italgas area in Santa Marta, the Gasometers, Sant’Elena, and the former ACTV shipyards. The project for the Ospedale al Mare, however, is moving forward.”
The new sports facilities at the Bosco dello Sport are almost ready.
“Of course, it will be a great thing. But in the meantime, I’d like to confirm that the Penzo will remain a stadium, with an upgrade for athletics competitions. The Taliercio will also be used for the next basketball season.”
The underlying issue remains. Hotels everywhere, too many tourists, the city emptying…
“The hotel freeze remains. The ones opening are projects from years ago. We’ll also have to monitor the use of religious buildings. Defend the Diedo school and see what they want to do with the Marovich and other former convents.”
Are you optimistic…?
“If everyone pulls in the same direction, absolutely. To save Venice, we can’t afford pointless controversy and ideological conflict.”
Do you talk to Brugnaro?
“Of course. He gives me good advice. He can’t stand still. However, I’d also like to hear from other former mayors, to ask for their help, like Giorgio Orsoni and Massimo Cacciari, if he wants to. My door is always open.”
Source: La Nuova di Venezia e Mestre
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