Former Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoë is supporting Emmanuel Grégoire's candidacy in the 2026 municipal elections. The popular figure who shifted the capital to the left in 2001 is lending his notoriety to the socialist amid a rise in extremes and populism. He aims to influence the vote against Rachida Dati.
Bertrand Delanoë, Paris's former mayor from 2001 to 2014, is actively backing Emmanuel Grégoire, his ex-chief of staff, in the 2026 municipal elections. On a February morning visit to the Maubert market in the 5th arrondissement, Delanoë engaged with vendors under rainy skies. He stated: “The stakes today, and we're there, are democracy, the Republic, and universal values.”
His popularity endures with many locals, as shown by a greengrocer's warm welcome: “Ah… but you're back, the good news!” Yet a neighborhood resident criticized his car policies. Delanoë replied: “Oh you know, I no longer have a car. In Paris, it's not that useful, that way we don't pollute. I take the metro. And for your health, it's better.”
After chats with a charcutier and Greek caterer, Delanoë visited the struggling eco-bookstore Utopia with Grégoire and Marine Rosset, the socialist candidate for the 5th arrondissement. Trim from swimming, he listened to the booksellers and said: “The city cannot be happy without thriving cultural shops, I'm certain Emmanuel will ensure that.”
Delanoë views the election as a key clash, with politics reshuffled by extremes, and relies on his presence to sway it toward Grégoire against Rachida Dati.