The New Paris Podcast 157: Anne Hidalgo’s Paris Legacy & the 2026 Vote with Phineas Rueckert
We are nearing the end of an era. Anne Hidalgo, Paris mayor since 2014, will soon be leaving office. And this weekend, we vote on her replacement. In fact, there are elections all over the country. But in Paris, there are changes to how that’s going to go down this year and who is likely to take over. I’m joined by Phineas Rueckert, a Paris-based journalist who covers politics and social issues for The Nation, Jacobin and New Lines Magazine, to unpack what’s at stake, who’s running, why this election is so important, and what legacy Anne Hidalgo leaves behind.
Mentioned in this episode:
Phineas's substack Becoming French
France's elections at risk of foreign interference
France's local elections, 2026
Elections as a preview for Europe
Quentin Deranque, political flashpoint
Lyon as French capital of political violence
Phineas's report for The Nation on Sarah Knafo
Audio production & editing: Matthew Jordan