Sawt Falasteen - Paris mayor Hidalgo says to bow out in 2026

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 -

In office since 2014, Hidalgo has increased cycle lanes in Paris at the expense of cars and organised referendums that resulted in the banning of rental e-scooters and the tripling of parking fees for SUVs.

She also presided over this year's summer Olympic and Paralympic Games which were seen as an immense success proudly showcasing the city.

But critics accuse her of merely shifting traffic and causing even heavier concentrations of cars elsewhere while also allowing security, cleanliness and public transport to deteriorate.

A viral social media hashtag #SaccageParis (Trashed Paris) that exposed how ugly Paris has become has morphed into a movement with a website denouncing conditions in the city.

In her interview with Le Monde, Hidalgo insisted there had been a "clear improvement" in security while acknowledging the city still had "some extremely tough areas".

Cleanliness is improving but the city needs "more rubbish bins" in busy areas, she added.

"She leaves a catastrophic legacy," said Geoffroy Boulard, the right-wing mayor of Paris's 17th district.

"There was no major project in the second term," he told BFM TV, saying instead that "big ideological measures were taken without consultation... this is the trademark of Anne Hidalgo."

Deputy mayor David Belliard, whose Greens work in coalition with Hidalgo, however heaped praise on the outgoing mayor saying that "in 10 years we have profoundly transformed Paris."

Even some opponents expressed respect for the Spain-born Hidalgo, indisputably one of the highest-profile mayors of a European capital.

"I had profound disagreements with Anne Hidalgo, but I want to salute her commitment to Paris and her courage as a woman politician," said former transport and Europe minister Clement Beaune.

- Crowded field -

In 2026, the Socialists are likely to face a challenge for city hall from right-wing Culture Minister Rachida Dati who for the last years has been an implacable critic of Hidalgo in one of the most bitter rivalries in French politics.

Former deputy mayor Emmanuel Gregoire, who has icy relations with Hidalgo despite sharing the same political family, has also expressed his intention to stand.

In a crowded field, another name being cited from the centre is former prime minister Gabriel Attal, while Communist senator Ian Brossat has also expressed interest.

The right will be eager to win back the city hall, which for 18 years was run by Jacques Chirac who would go on to be president. He was succeeded in 1995 by fellow right-winger Jean Tiberi, but Socialists have had control since Bertrand Delanoe won office in 2001.

Hidalgo has ruled out any further crack at the presidency, after her 2022 campaign saw her record a humiliatingly low score of 1.74 percent.

Z.Ramadan--SF-PST