Virginia Raggi becomes first female mayor of Rome.

Virginia Raggi of the anti-establishment Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S) took office as the first female mayor of Rome on the evening of Thursday 23 June.

The 37-year-old civil lawyer, who is also the youngest mayor in Rome's history, took her seat in city hall four days after beating Roberto Giacchetti of the Partito Democratico (PD) of prime minister Matteo Renzi, with more than two thirds of the vote in an election run-off.

Raggi arrived at her Campidoglio office overlooking the Roman Forum following a day of official engagements which included laying a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier at the Vittorio Emanuele monument, and visiting the Fosse Ardeatine memorial where Nazi forces killed 335 civilians in 1944.

The newly-sworn in mayor will present her administration on 7 July, and said her priorities include assessing the management of Rome's municipal services such as public transport and rubbish collection.

Asked by reporters if she wished to be referred to as sindaca (lady mayor), Raggi replied: "I'm not mad about it, you can just call me Virginia.”