Mario Calabresi steps down from Chora Media to enter 2027 Milan mayoral race

Resignation from media leadership

Journalist and writer Mario Calabresi is stepping down from his executive duties at Be Water Content, the holding group that oversees Chora Media and Will Media, to prepare for a mayoral candidacy in Milan. Calabresi founded Chora Media alongside Guido Maria Brera, Mario Gianani, and Roberto Zanco, serving as chief executive and editor-in-chief of Chora News as well as board chairman of the parent company. He communicated his decision to staff on 1 September 2026, ahead of a formal statement scheduling his campaign launch for the 2027 municipal election.

Divesting operational control from Be Water, which also owns Cronache di spogliatoio, addresses potential conflict-of-interest concerns ahead of municipal coalition talks. Five Star Movement representative Stefano Buffagni addressed the prospect of the journalist's candidacy when Calabresi first explored a bid:

We have no preclusions regarding Calabresi, provided that any potential conflicts of interest are resolved.

The race for Palazzo Marino

The move opens the contest to succeed current Milan mayor Beppe Sala at Palazzo Marino. Calabresi, formerly the editor-in-chief of daily newspapers La Repubblica and La Stampa, expressed his interest in public office during appearances in July 2026, including the Festa dell'Unita event in Vizzolo Predabissi.

I would like to commit myself to Milan. I would like to do my part.

Calabresi is the son of police commissioner Luigi Calabresi, who was assassinated in 1972 by Lotta Continua. The political context in Milan includes the municipal council's dedication of a street to anarchist Giuseppe Pinelli, whose death during the Piazza Fontana investigation remains a subject of municipal debate. Majorino had previously written in support of the street dedication, calling Pinelli the eighteenth victim of Piazza Fontana.

Political landscape and primary contenders

Calabresi's bid arrives as the centre-left evaluates primary elections to determine its candidate for Palazzo Marino. The field of potential contenders includes Lombardy regional councillor and Democratic Party group leader Pierfrancesco Majorino, who has led early voter polling. Milan deputy mayor Anna Scavuzzo and municipal councillor Lorenzo Pacini are also considering bids alongside civic figures.

When Calabresi declared his initial openness to run on 22 July 2026, he secured cross-spectrum endorsements from Action leader Carlo Calenda, former Milan mayor Gabriele Albertini, and former Lombardy regional president Roberto Formigoni. Within the Democratic Party, leadership previously weighed supporting Majorino directly instead of turning to an external candidate from outside the party apparatus.

Upcoming schedule and transition

Calabresi will maintain his editorial duties through the end of September 2026, continuing to host the press review program Seietrenta. His calendar includes an appearance as guest of honour at the Milan Festa dell'Unita on 12 September 2026, followed by participation in the future4cities festival in Turin from 25 to 27 September 2026 before concluding his corporate responsibilities.

The holding company Be Water Content will continue overseeing its digital media properties after Calabresi steps down as board president and editorial director. Calabresi's formal announcement on 1 September 2026 sets into motion his departure from media production ahead of campaigning across Milan's municipal districts.