Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced on Tuesday that she will not run for reelection for a third term in 2026, ending her tenure as the first woman to lead the French capital, French media reported.
Hidalgo said in an interview with French newspaper Le Monde published on Tuesday:
“I will not run for a third term. This is a decision I made a long time ago.”
The Socialist mayor, in office since 2014, said she wanted to announce her decision earlier to ensure a smooth transition. She has chosen Senator Remi Feraud as her successor.
Hidalgo, 65, has overseen significant changes in Paris, including controversial measures to reduce car traffic and increase bike lanes. During her tenure, she has had to deal with challenges such as Islamist attacks, the Notre-Dame fire, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2024 Olympic Summer Games.
Hidalgo said, adding that she intends to remain politically active beyond 2026:
“Out of respect for Parisians, I wanted to announce it early enough and at a time that allows for a smooth handover.”
Hidalgo’s decade in power
The year 2024 marks ten years since she first took office. During this time, Hidalgo has faced a lot of criticism, but the female politician points out one important fact to her detractors: she managed to do what three of her male predecessors failed to do – bring the Olympic Games to Paris.
In 2014, Anne was elected mayor of Paris; she became the first woman in history to hold this position, and in 2020 she was elected for a second term. Hidalgo’s election campaign was built on turning the French capital into a so-called 15-minute city, in which each district would be equipped with all the necessary infrastructure located within walking distance.
In 2022, Anne entered the presidential race. In the French left-wing popular primaries, Hidalgo ranked fifth out of seven; among candidates with a professional political career behind them, she had the lowest results.
