When did Anne Hidalgo become mayor of Paris?

In 2014, Anne Hidalgo made history by becoming the first woman to assume the esteemed position of Mayor of Paris.

Her journey at the helm of the iconic city has been marked by both triumphs and challenges, spanning two terms that have significantly shaped the urban landscape and tested her leadership mettle.

Hidalgo’s first term commenced against a backdrop of tragedy, as the January 2015 Charlie Hebdo shooting and the November 2015 Paris attacks unfolded.

Among the harrowing events, she personally witnessed the aftermath of the Bataclan theatre massacre. The challenges faced during this time tested not only her political acumen but also her resilience in the face of adversity.

However, her initial popularity waned due to perceived mismanagement, leading to a decline in public support. The atmosphere was further strained when Bruno Julliard, the First Deputy Mayor, resigned in 2018, citing criticisms of Hidalgo’s governance style.

Despite these setbacks, Hidalgo demonstrated strength during the disaster recovery efforts for the Notre-Dame de Paris fire in April 2019. As Hidalgo geared up for re-election in 2020, her popularity faced a considerable dip.

Polls indicated a majority of voters were hesitant to see her secure a second term. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented challenges, resulting in a record low voter turnout.

Nevertheless, Hidalgo managed to secure her re-election, albeit without an absolute majority of the vote.  During her second term, Hidalgo faced the formidable task of steering Paris through the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Implementing stringent measures such as nightly curfews, closure of non-essential shops, and the introduction of 50 kilometers (31 miles) of pop-up cycle lanes, known as “coronapistes,” she sought to ease pressure on public transport and safeguard the city’s residents.

By January 2021, Hidalgo’s policies gained international attention, particularly her ambitious proposal to remove over half of Paris’s car parking spaces and transform the iconic Champs-Élysées into what she envisioned as a “fantastic garden.”

These proposals showcased her commitment to sustainability and urban transformation, albeit sparking debates and discussions both locally and globally.