Emmanuel Grégoire, Paris's newly elected leftwing mayor, celebrated his win by cycling along the capital's new bike lanes on Sunday night, signalling his commitment to environmental policies and a frugal, transparent administration. The 48-year-old has promised to slash officials' expenses and end chauffeur-driven cars, styling himself as a leader of 'absolute moral rigour'.
Grégoire defeated rightwing former minister Rachida Dati in a run-off that ended 25 years of left-wing control of the city. His victory came amid a nationwide municipal election seen as a key test ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally making gains but failing to capture major cities like Marseille.
A relatively unknown figure until recently, Grégoire served as deputy mayor under Anne Hidalgo for six years. He distanced himself from his predecessor, positioning himself as a reformer. His win secured a fifth consecutive Socialist term for Paris.
Grégoire now faces a serious crisis: multiple police inquiries into alleged sexual abuse of children in state-run nursery and primary schools. At least 30 school monitors were suspended in Paris in 2025, 19 after complaints of sexual abuse. Grégoire has promised a 'big bang' overhaul of recruitment and oversight, and revealed during the campaign that he himself was abused by a school monitor as a child.
The new mayor also plans to tackle social housing shortages, regulate tourist rentals—declaring 'Airbnb is my enemy'—and address homelessness. He has pledged to ensure transparency in expenses for district mayors and councillors, cutting budgets for clothing and travel.
