2024-11-19 08:19:00
The mayor of Paris, socialist Anne Hidalgo, during meetings of the Place publique movement, in La Réole (Gironde), October 5, 2024. THIBAUD MORITZ / AFP
Like an air of assessment of the term of office. The Paris Council, which begins Tuesday, November 19, promises to be the final great political moment of Anne Hidalgo’s second – and possibly last – mandate. A little less than a year and a half before the municipal elections for which the socialist deputy of Paris Emmanuel Grégoire, former first deputy of Anne Hidalgo, has just declared himself a candidate, it is an opportunity for the Parisian executive to mark the main axes of its policy carried out for ten years by giving them global coherence orchestrated around four strategic plans. Synthesize the general political narrative before the electoral race for 2026 begins, facing an opposition ready on the starting line, determined not to make any concessions.
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The color given by the majority to the projects submitted to the vote this week has never been so green. The climate plan, the local bioclimatic urban planning plan, the environmental health plan and the resilience plan are all interconnected and focused around the same issue: succeeding in making Paris a city that remains habitable in a climate crisis which has already started.
In the climate plan, planned for the period 2024-2030, this translates into a set of five hundred medium and long-term measures, which outline the capital’s fight against climate change. Reduction of the carbon footprint and energy consumption, development of renewables, revegetation, refreshing of public spaces, thermal renovation of buildings, priority for cycling over cars, preservation and valorization of water resources… The subjects are as diverse as numerous, too many, even, for the Les Républicains group, which sees it as a “Prévert inventory” et “lots of empty promises”, when Changer Paris (the group of Rachida Dati, the mayor of the 7th arrondissement) denounces a “catch-all document aligning promises without guarantees of achievement”.
“Directist vision”
Create 300 hectares of green spaces? Impossible, believes the vice-president of the Changer Paris group, David Alphand, who calculated that this was equivalent to “420 football fields” and does not see how to achieve this unless it includes Parisian cemeteries. It is also in this plan that we find the establishment of the limited traffic zone in the center of Paris, the lowering of the speed on the ring road to 50 km/h or the increase in the parking rate. for heavy vehicles, all measures vigorously denounced by the opposition.
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How are the dynamics within the Parisian left expected to evolve with Emmanuel Grégoire’s candidacy?
**Interview with Paris Political Analyst, Claire Dubois**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Claire. We’re discussing the upcoming Paris Council meeting and its significance, especially as it pertains to Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s tenure. How important do you think this meeting is as we approach the municipal elections in 2026?
**Claire Dubois:** Thank you for having me. This meeting is indeed quite significant. It represents a crucial moment for Hidalgo to reflect on her policies over the last ten years and to demonstrate a cohesive vision just fifteen months before the next elections. It’s also vital for setting the tone for her legacy as mayor and for her potential successors.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the cohesive vision. What are the key themes or strategic plans that are likely to emerge from this Council meeting?
**Claire Dubois:** The main themes appear to center around environmental sustainability. The mayor’s administration is presenting an interconnected series of plans, including a climate plan and bioclimatic urban development strategies. They aim to address crucial issues like urban resilience and health in the face of climate change, which are paramount for making Paris a livable city in the future.
**Interviewer:** With Emmanuel Grégoire declaring his candidacy, how do you see the dynamics within the Parisian left shaping up as they approach the next elections?
**Claire Dubois:** The dynamics are definitely in flux. Grégoire is positioned as a strong candidate, and his emergence indicates a turning point for the left in Paris. There’s a palpable mix of support for Hidalgo’s policies and a desire for change, which could lead to a fragmented electorate. In any case, the left will need to navigate its internal differences carefully to mount a strong campaign against a well-prepared opposition.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like the Parisian political landscape is quite lively. How do you think the opposition is preparing for this political showdown?
**Claire Dubois:** The opposition is certainly gearing up to capitalize on any perceived weaknesses in Hidalgo’s administration. They are likely to focus on policy critiques, especially around urban planning and environmental issues, which have been contentious topics. Keeping a united front will be crucial for them as they aim to present a viable alternative to voters, especially with discontent among certain demographics regarding housing and urban issues.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, as we look ahead, what would you say is the most pressing challenge that the next mayor of Paris will need to address?
**Claire Dubois:** The next mayor will face the monumental task of balancing climate initiatives with the everyday needs and concerns of Parisians, such as housing affordability and public transport. It’s essential to create policies that not only promote sustainability but also ensure that all citizens feel they are included in the city’s development. Navigating these challenges will be key to earning voter confidence in the upcoming elections.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Claire, for your insights. It will certainly be fascinating to see how this political narrative unfolds in the coming months leading up to the elections.
**Claire Dubois:** Thank you! I’m looking forward to it as well.