Anne Hidalgo

Anne Hidalgo, born on June nineteenth, nineteen fifty-nine, is a prominent Spanish-born French politician who made history as the first woman to serve as the Mayor of Paris. Her tenure began in two thousand fourteen, following her role as First Deputy Mayor under Bertrand Delanoë from two thousand one to two thousand fourteen. As a member of the Socialist Party, Hidalgo has been a Councillor of Paris since two thousand one, showcasing her long-standing commitment to the city's governance.

During her first term, Hidalgo initiated the Réinventer Paris program, aimed at revitalizing underutilized urban spaces, and introduced a participatory budgeting platform to engage citizens in city projects. However, her leadership faced challenges, particularly in the wake of significant events such as the January Charlie Hebdo shooting and the November attacks, which she experienced firsthand. Despite these challenges, her popularity waned due to allegations of mismanagement, leading to a difficult reelection campaign in two thousand twenty.

In two thousand twenty, Hidalgo was reelected amidst a record low voter turnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her second term saw her implement crucial public health measures, including nightly curfews and the creation of pop-up cycle lanes to alleviate pressure on public transport. Notably, her ambitious proposals, such as reducing car parking spaces and transforming the Champs-Élysées into a green space, garnered international attention.

In September two thousand twenty-one, Hidalgo announced her candidacy for the presidential election of two thousand twenty-two, despite previously committing to serve her full term as mayor. Ultimately, she received the lowest percentage of votes for a Socialist candidate in French presidential history, finishing tenth out of twelve candidates.