Emmanuel Grégoire has been elected mayor of Paris, securing a clear second-round victory over conservative rival Rachida Dati and reinforcing the left’s long-standing dominance in the French
capital.
According to exit polls released Sunday, the Socialist candidate won more than half of the vote, outperforming expectations of a tightly contested race. His win ensures continuity after outgoing mayor Anne Hidalgo, under whom Grégoire served as deputy.
Addressing supporters after the result, Grégoire framed the election as a broader political signal ahead of France’s upcoming presidential race. “Paris has decided to stay true to its history,” he said, pledging to stand firm against right-wing and far-right forces in the months ahead.
In a symbolic gesture following his victory, the 48-year-old mayor-elect cycled to City Hall using the city’s public bike-sharing system, underscoring his commitment to the environmental and urban policies that have reshaped Paris over the past two decades.
His election extends a 25-year period of left-wing leadership in the capital, following transformative tenures under Bertrand Delanoë and Hidalgo. Their policies have focused on reducing pollution, expanding green spaces, and prioritizing pedestrian zones and cycling infrastructure.
A high-stakes campaign
Grégoire entered the runoff with strong momentum after leading the first round with nearly 38% of the vote, significantly ahead of Dati, a former minister under President Emmanuel Macron. However, the race tightened after Dati secured support from centrist and right-wing allies.
Despite pressure to unite with hard-left candidate Sophia Chikirou, Grégoire chose not to form an alliance—risking a split in the left-wing vote. His decisive victory now appears to validate that strategy, particularly among moderate voters wary of more radical positions.
The campaign was marked by sharp exchanges, including accusations from Grégoire that Macron had intervened to influence the outcome—claims the president dismissed outright. Reports also suggested backing from the Élysée for Dati’s alliance with centre-right figures, as well as strategic withdrawals by other candidates.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen publicly called for voters to oust the left in Paris. However, analysts suggest such endorsements may have backfired in a city where far-right politics remain deeply unpopular.
Looking ahead
Grégoire’s victory positions Paris as a key political stronghold for the left ahead of next year’s presidential election. With national tensions rising, the French capital is likely to play a central role in shaping the country’s political direction. Photo by Jacques Paquier, Wikimedia commons.