Boston City Council Unanimously Elects Ruthzee Louijeune as President

BOSTON — January 1, 2024 — Boston City Council elects Ruthzee Louijeune as its first Haitian American president on Haitian Independence Day. The at-large councillor was nominated by District 1 Councillor Gabriela Coletta Zapata and elected unanimously by roll-call voice vote on January 1, 2024, the first day of the new 2024-2025 municipal term. Councillor Julia M. Mejia declined a separate nomination offered by Councillor Edward M. Flynn, saying the moment "requires us to really bring everyone together." The council also seated two new members — District 3 Councillor John FitzGerald of Dorchester and District 6 Councillor Benjamin J. Weber of Jamaica Plain — and adopted temporary rules for the municipal term under Docket 0117. Louijeune, accepting the gavel from presiding Dean Liz Breadon, pledged to center affordable housing, equitable city contracting, Boston Public Schools accountability, and community-rooted public safety throughout her tenure.