Overview

• Katharina Zeller, Merano’s newly elected mayor, removed the Italian tricolor sash during her inauguration ceremony, sparking criticism from political figures and the public.
• Zeller clarified that her action was not intended as disrespect toward the Republic and pledged to wear the sash in all official contexts as required by protocol.
• She emphasized that, in Alto Adige, the customary symbol for mayors is the city medallion, and she viewed her predecessor’s insistence on the sash as a provocation and institutional discourtesy.
• Zeller’s election marks the Südtiroler Volkspartei’s return to power in Merano after ten years, reflecting a generational shift and a focus on interethnic dialogue.
• The incident has reignited debates over the balance between national protocols and local traditions in the autonomous region of Alto Adige.