Matteo Ricci (politician)

Matteo Ricci (born 18 July 1974) is an Italian politician and former mayor of Pesaro. He began his career in the Democrats of the Left (DS). From 2009 to 2014, he was also the president of the province of Pesaro and Urbino with the Democratic Party (PD). After being elected mayor in 2014, he was re-elected in 2019.

Early life and education
Ricci was born in Pesaro, in the Marche region of Central Italy. He graduated in political science at the University of Urbino.

Career
Ricci began his political career in the DS. He then joined the PD and served as president of the province of Pesaro and Urbino from 2009 to 2014. He was elected mayor of Pesaro on 25 May 2014 in the first round, with 60 percent of the votes, and took office on 30 May 2014. In November 2014, Ricci was elected to the board of ANCI, of which he also became vice-president with responsibility for reforms. From 15 December 2013 to 7 May 2017, he was the PD vice-president under the leadership of Matteo Renzi. In October 2016, he took on responsibility for the party's Local Authorities, and also joined the national secretariat. In 2019, Ricci was re-elected in the first round for a second term as mayor of Pesaro with 57 percent of the votes.

Term-limited in 2024, Ricci ran for the European Parliament on the PD list in Central Italy constituency. He received 105 841 preference votes and was elected.