In a few weeks, Anne Hidalgo will take her final bow after years of dedicated service (or almost), making way for the person who will have the heavy task of securing the future of the capital. An election with immense stakes, at a time when Paris is undergoing a massive transformation for both Parisians and residents of the surrounding suburbs.
The Everyday Sacrifices
In recent years, Anne Hidalgo has energetically led her policies in the capital, pushing for greening initiatives, the construction of bike lanes, and the removal of parking spots and roadways for cars. These measures have been widely supported by some Parisians, while also heavily criticized by others.
they through another, but mainly affect a segment of the population that is often overlooked in the equation.Paris n’appartient pas aux Parisiens.
— Le Parisien (@le_Parisien) January 25, 2026
Le philosophe et écrivain Nathan Devers propose d’élargir le droit de vote pour les municipales aux habitants de la banlieue parisienne, directement concernés eux aussi par la politique menée dans la capitale
➡️ https://t.co/vSe1bCKTsm pic.twitter.com/X61rZq4ZEs
In fact, according to some studies, the people who are suffering the most from the ban on cars in the City of Light are the suburbanites working in Paris. These are folks whose commute times have sometimes been doubled in recent years because they can't swap their cars for a bike or an electric scooter, even though they contribute day after day to the vibrancy of the capital.
A New Kind of Election
To address this injustice, the journalist suggests a simple system: opening up voting to those who are among the most affected by city policies. Give a voice to those who work in the capital and help keep the city thriving.
restaurants, pharmacies, schools, etc. A suggestion that seems legitimate, but it will probably not be implemented in time for 2026.✅🏛️ Municipales : l'Assemblée nationale a définitivement adopté la réforme du mode de scrutin pour les élections municipales à Paris, Lyon et Marseille. Les députés ont approuvé le texte par 112 voix contre 28. #DirectAN pic.twitter.com/jXTmjk6ZZm
— LCP (@LCP) July 10, 2025
Anyway, these elections already promise to mark a turning point in the voting system of Paris, since for the first time, all registered voters will need to vote twice, once for the district list, and a second time to directly elect the future leader of the capital. A big first, which could certainly bring a wave of change to the capital.