PODESTA

in italy: (a title given to) any of various holders of public office at different periods, as a city governor, mayor, civic magistrate, or other municipal officer; specifically (a) the chief magistrate elected annually in medieval italian towns or city-states and having extensive civic and judicial powers (historical); (b) a governor appointed by frederick i (holy roman emperor 1155–90, and king of germany 1152–90) over one or more cities of lombardy (historical); (c) (during the italian fascist regime 1927–43) an official appointed to administer a municipality.