Anne Hidalgo has announced she will not seek a third term as Paris mayor, believing two terms are sufficient for meaningful change. The race for her successor is heating up, with candidates like Rémi Féraud and Emmanuel Grégoire emerging from the left coalition. A primary election is being discussed among potential candidates, while competition from other political factions is also intensifying, promising a dynamic mayoral election ahead.
Anne Hidalgo Announces Decision Not to Seek Third Term
In a significant political shift, Anne Hidalgo has officially declared that she will not pursue a third term as the mayor of Paris. During a recent interview with Le Monde on November 26, she confirmed the speculation that had been circulating for months. Hidalgo, who has held the mayoral office since 2014, expressed her belief that “two terms are enough to implement profound changes” and emphasized her desire to pass the leadership baton to someone new.
Succession Plans and Potential Candidates
The race for her successor is expected to be highly competitive, with various candidates already emerging from the left coalition that governs the city, which includes socialists, ecologists, and communists. Hidalgo has expressed her support for Rémi Féraud, stating, “He is the one who will be able to carry our history and reinvent a future for Paris.” Féraud, who previously served as the mayor of the 10th arrondissement and is currently a socialist senator, is seen as a strong contender for the position.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Grégoire, who was previously viewed as Hidalgo’s likely successor, has declared his candidacy as well. He stated his commitment to becoming a “mayor of reconciliation” and has garnered backing from numerous socialist activists. In a parallel narrative, communist senator Ian Brossat has also made his intentions clear, suggesting that the leadership question on the left will arise depending on Hidalgo’s decision to run again or not.
As the political landscape evolves, the prospect of a primary election is being discussed among potential candidates. Hidalgo has indicated that it will ultimately be up to Parisian socialist activists to determine the path forward, emphasizing her hands-off approach in the decision-making process. Other figures, including ecologist representatives, may also enter the fray as the political dynamics unfold in the coming months.
In addition to the left coalition’s internal contests, competition is heating up within other political factions in Paris. Candidates from the presidential camp and the right-wing group are positioning themselves, indicating that the race for the next mayor of Paris is set to be a dynamic and closely watched event.