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 do you see the role of public engagement in shaping the policies that will follow your administration?
**Interview with Anne Hidalgo: Reflecting on a Decade of Leadership in Paris**
**Editor:** Anne Hidalgo, thank you for joining us. As you prepare for the upcoming Paris Council sessions starting this November 19, how do you feel about this being potentially your last major political moment as mayor?
**Anne Hidalgo:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pivotal moment for me as we assess the progress made during my tenure and set the stage for the future. It’s bittersweet, of course, but I am proud of what we have accomplished and the initiatives we are putting forth in our final sessions.
**Editor:** You’ve outlined four strategic plans aimed at ensuring Paris remains habitable for generations to come. Can you elaborate on how these plans interconnect?
**Anne Hidalgo:** Certainly. The climate plan, bioclimatic urban planning, environmental health, and resilience are all intricately linked. We are taking a holistic approach to urban living, addressing not just environmental challenges but also social and economic factors. We want to create a sustainable city that prioritizes the well-being of all Parisians.
**Editor:** With the municipal elections approaching in 2026, how do you envision your legacy, and what challenges do you think your successor will face?
**Anne Hidalgo:** My legacy will hopefully reflect a commitment to sustainability and inclusiveness. The challenges ahead, such as climate change, economic recovery, and social equity, will be immense. I believe it’s crucial for my successor, Emmanuel Grégoire or whoever steps in, to continue these efforts with the same determination to innovate and adapt.
**Editor:** The opposition seems poised to challenge the socialist agenda aggressively. How are you preparing for those political dynamics as you approach the end of your mandate?
**Anne Hidalgo:** We are focused on delivering results that resonate with the citizens of Paris. The opposition may have their critiques, but I trust that our sustained efforts in making Paris greener and more liveable will speak for themselves. Engaging with the public and addressing their concerns is paramount.
**Editor:** Lastly, what are you most hopeful for as you reflect on your time in office and look towards the future of Paris?
**Anne Hidalgo:** I am hopeful that the foundation we’ve built will inspire future leaders to continue prioritizing sustainability and inclusivity. Paris has an incredible spirit, and I believe it will thrive as a city that rises to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
**Editor:** Thank you, Mayor Hidalgo, for sharing your insights. We look forward to seeing how the city evolves in the coming years.
