The 2026 Paris municipal election is scheduled to take place on March 15 , 2026 to elect the Mayor of Paris and the Council of Paris, with an eventual runoff on March 22. This election follows the two-term tenure of Anne Hidalgo, the first woman to serve as mayor of Paris, who announced in November 2024 that she would not seek a third term. The election is expected to be highly competitive, featuring national figures such as Rachida Dati.
Anne Hidalgo, a member of the Socialist Party (PS), was first elected mayor in 2014 and re-elected in 2020, serving during a period marked by significant events including the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2024 Summer Olympics hosted by the city. Hidalgo focused her administration on urban transformation projects such as the "15-minute city" concept and expanding social housing. Despite some controversies and a decline in popularity, she remained a central figure in Paris politics until her decision not to run again in 2026, endorsing Senator Rémi Féraud as her preferred successor.[1][2]
Electoral system and context
The 2026 election will be influenced by ongoing discussions about electoral reform in Paris.[3]President Macron has proposed that mayors in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille be elected by direct universal suffrage rather than by an electoral college of city councilors, a system currently viewed as "anti-democratic" by some candidates including Rachida Dati.[4]
The election is set against a backdrop of political realignment, with Hidalgo’s departure opening the field for new leadership and competition between the left-wing coalition, Macron’s centrist camp, and the traditional right.[5] Cultural and heritage issues are expected to be prominent in the campaign, especially given the recent appointment of Dati as Culture Minister and her potential veto power over city projects.[6]
As of late 2024, the campaign is already active with multiple candidates announcing or preparing bids. Hidalgo’s endorsement of Féraud is seen as an attempt to maintain Socialist control, while Grégoire’s challenge indicates internal competition on the left. Dati’s candidacy is marked by her recent cabinet role and her ambition to unite the right and center-right voters. Other candidates from the Communist Party, Greens, and centrist parties are positioning themselves in a fragmented political landscape.[7]
Anne Hidalgo has stated she will remain mayor until the end of her term in 2026 and continue her political involvement thereafter, supporting a smooth transition to her successor.[14]
The campaign issues are:
Housing and Social Diversity: Expansion of social housing and efforts to counteract gentrification remain central, especially for left-wing candidates.[12]
Urban Mobility and Environment: Policies to reduce car traffic, increase cycling infrastructure, and expand green spaces continue to be key issues.[14]
Public Safety and Cleanliness: Ongoing concerns in some districts, particularly in northern Paris.[1]
Electoral Reform: Debate over direct election of the mayor versus the current council-based system.[10]
Coalition Building: The potential for left-wing unity or fragmentation, and the possibility of a centrist or right-wing coalition to challenge the left’s dominance.[10][1]
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