Anne Hidalgo counter-attacks after expense notes controversy
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo is countering the controversy over her expense reports by accusing the opposition of a witch hunt. The opposition denounces her response as a petty retaliation. This affair highlights political tensions in Paris ahead of elections.
The controversy over Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo's expense reports erupted a few days ago when documents revealed what were deemed excessive expenditures on official trips and events. According to the Le Monde article dated October 3, 2025, Hidalgo counter-attacked by issuing a statement claiming the criticisms aim to discredit her personally. 'This is a witch hunt orchestrated by my political adversaries,' she declared during a press conference on October 2.
The opposition, led by figures like Rachida Dati of the Republicans party, reacted sharply. Dati described Hidalgo's riposte as 'a petty and unworthy retaliation from an elected official.' She called for an independent inquiry into the city's expenses, emphasizing that public funds must be transparent. Specific figures mentioned include around 150,000 euros spent on expense reports in 2024, according to the disclosed documents.
This context fits into a series of controversies over Paris's financial management under Hidalgo, elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2020. The opposition argues that these expenditures reflect poor resource allocation, while the city faces challenges like pollution and transportation. Hidalgo defends her actions as necessary to promote Paris internationally, citing events like the 2024 Olympics.
No major contradictions appear in the source, which reports the facts in a balanced manner. The affair could influence local political dynamics, with municipal elections looming in 2026.