Walter Vitali (born 30 September 1952) is an Italian politician, Mayor of Bologna from 1993 to 1999.

Before graduating in Philosophy at the University of Bologna in 1975, Vitali joined the Federation of Italian Communist Youth.

[1] In 1980, Vitali is elected to the city council of Bologna and has been councilor for Youth and Institutional Affairs under the guide of mayors Renato Zangheri and Renzo Imbeni,[2] with which he has also been appointed councilor for Budget from 1989 to 1993.

[4] In 1998, during his term as mayor, Bologna has been appointed European Capital of Culture for the year 2000.

[6] He held his seat in Palazzo Madama for three consecutive legislatures from 2001 to 2013.