Emmanuel Gregoire becomes new mayor of Paris, succeeding fellow Socialist Anne Hidalgo

Socialist candidate Emmanuel Gregoire won the Paris mayoral race on Sunday, succeeding fellow party member Anne Hidalgo as the French capital’s mayor, as results of the final round of municipal elections showed clear gains for the traditional left and right, and one major win for the far-right in the French Riviera city of Nice.The vote is a test of the balance of power on France’s local political map before the 2027 presidential race begins to take shape.Definitive results were still pending in big cities, including in Paris.Gregoire claimed victory after estimates based on partial results placed him well ahead of conservative rival Rachida Dati, who acknowledged defeat.Gregoire said “tonight is the victory of a certain vision of Paris: a vibrant Paris, a progressive Paris”, before heading through the streets of Paris to the City Hall on a bicycle.French voters returned to the polls on Sunday for the final round of municipal elections in 1,500 communes, including major cities. Mayors and municipal councillors are elected for six years.Turnout at 5pm local time was just over 48 per cent in France’s mainland, higher than in the 2020 vote held during the Covid-19 pandemic but four points lower than in 2014, according to the Ministry of the Interior. Polling stations were open until 8pm in the biggest cities.