Paris mayor Hidalgo says to bow out in 2026

Paris: The Socialist mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo, acclaimed by supporters for squeezing traffic in the city centre but accused by opponents of failing...

Paris: The Socialist mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo, acclaimed by supporters for squeezing traffic in the city centre but accused by opponents of failing to get to grips with day-to-day problems in the French capital, said in an interview published Tuesday she would not seek a new term in 2026 elections.

Hidalgo, who has been at the reins in city hall since 2014 as Paris's first woman mayor, told the Le Monde daily: "I will not run for a third term. It is a decision I made a long time ago."

"I have always believed that two terms are enough to bring about profound changes," added Hidalgo, 65, who won a second term in 2020.

She backed fellow Socialist Remi Feraud, a senator, to succeed her, saying he has the "has the necessary solidity, seriousness and capacity to rally" people together.

Mixed legacy