Anne Hidalgo

Anne Hidalgo is a French politician who has served as the Mayor of Paris since 2014, the first woman to hold the office. A member of the Socialist Party, she previously served as First Deputy Mayor of Paris under Bertrand Delanoë from 2001 to 2014. Her tenure has been defined by ambitious environmental policies, including the promotion of cycling, the reduction of car traffic, and hosting the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Early life and education

Born Ana María Hidalgo Aleu in San Fernando, Spain, she moved with her family to Lyon, France, in 1961. She obtained French nationality in 1973. Hidalgo studied social law at the University of Lyon, earning a Master of Advanced Studies (DEA) before beginning her career as a civil servant. She became an inspector of labour and later a senior official at the Ministry of Labour.

Political career

Hidalgo's political career began within the Socialist Party, where she aligned with figures like Martine Aubry. She entered Parisian politics as an advisor to then-Minister of Labour Martine Aubry in the government of Prime Minister Michel Rocard. In 2001, she was elected to the Council of Paris and was appointed First Deputy Mayor of Paris by newly elected mayor Bertrand Delanoë, with responsibility for gender equality and personnel. She held this key deputy role for thirteen years, overseeing significant urban projects and solidifying her administrative experience.

Mayor of Paris

Elected in the 2014 municipal election, Hidalgo succeeded Bertrand Delanoë, defeating her center-right rival Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet. Her platform emphasized social justice and ecological transition. Major policies have included creating Paris Respire pedestrian zones, expanding the Vélib' bike-sharing system, and implementing a major plan to add greenery, including the transformation of the Champs-Élysées and the Place de la Concorde. A cornerstone of her administration has been reducing car dominance, exemplified by making the Seine banks pedestrian-only and converting streets into cycling infrastructure. She was re-elected in the 2020 election, defeating Rachida Dati of The Republicans. Her tenure is also marked by preparing the city for the 2024 Summer Olympics and 2024 Summer Paralympics.

Political positions and public image

Hidalgo is a prominent figure on the French left, advocating for environmental and social democratic policies. She has been a vocal supporter of the Paris Agreement and launched the concept of the "15-minute city." Her policies, particularly on reducing car use, have drawn both international praise and local criticism, sometimes sparking protests from groups like the Gilets Jaunes. She was the Socialist Party candidate in the 2022 French presidential election, finishing tenth in the first round. Her public image is that of a determined, sometimes polarizing, reformer focused on urban climate action, facing scrutiny over issues like street cleanliness and the financial management of the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Personal life

She was married to former politician Jean-Marc Germain, with whom she has two children, and later married Xavier Hocquet, a senior civil servant, in 2021. She also has a child from a previous relationship. Hidalgo is a published author, having written books such as *Une femme dans l'arène*. Her personal story of immigration and integration is frequently cited in her political narrative.

Category:1959 births Category:Living people Category:Mayors of Paris Category:French people of Spanish descent Category:Socialist Party (France) politicians Category:Female mayors of places in France