As municipal elections approach, Paris becomes a battleground over the city's future, with public safety and electoral reform as key issues. Outgoing mayor Anne Hidalgo's green transformation policies are also under scrutiny, with candidates debating their future, and the capital likely to go green for good.
Paris is preparing for its mayoral election, with the first round on March 15. The current socialist mayor, Anne Hidalgo, has been noted for transforming the city into a green metropolis, while conservatives see a 'historic chance' to win.
The city of Paris has received the 'best possible rating' from credit agencies like Standard & Poor's and Moody's, despite its significant debt, a point often used by Anne Hidalgo's team to defend its financial record during municipal election campaigns.
A public political split between Emmanuel Grégoire and former Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has created a significant obstacle for the Socialists, potentially costing them the Paris mayoralty.
Between 2014 and 2026, the streets of Paris underwent sweeping changes, notably with the pedestrianization of the riverbanks and the creation of numerous bike lanes.
By the end of Mayor Anne Hidalgo's two terms, Paris's debt will have increased by 133% in 12 years, from €4.18 billion in 2014 to €9.7 billion by December 31, 2026.