Former Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoë joined socialist candidate Emmanuel Grégoire at the Auguste Blanqui market in the 13th arrondissement on January 11, 2026, to boost his profile ahead of the March municipal elections. Highly recognized by Parisians, Delanoë introduces Grégoire as a candidate of great qualities. This effort aims to build voter trust in a challenger who remains little known.
On a sunny Sunday, January 11, 2026, Bertrand Delanoë, Paris mayor from 2001 to 2014, made a notable appearance at the Auguste Blanqui market in the 13th arrondissement. Joined by Emmanuel Grégoire, the socialist candidate for the left-wing union in the March 2026 municipal elections, the former mayor leveraged his enduring popularity to promote his potential successor.
Interactions with passersby highlight the notoriety gap between the two. While Delanoë is greeted warmly – "Ah, monsieur Delanoë, it's a pleasure to see you again!" – Grégoire often goes unrecognized. An elderly woman, startled by the journalists, says: "But who are you, I don't know you!" before lighting up upon spotting Delanoë. He steps in: "This is Emmanuel Grégoire, the candidate for Paris mayor, and he has great qualities; I recommend him to you!"
Despite stepping away from politics twelve years ago, Delanoë remains an iconic figure for Parisians. Grégoire, still low-profile in the public eye, relies on this endorsement to gain visibility and reassure left-wing voters. This outing signals the start of a campaign strategy built on the former mayor's legacy, in a mayoral race focused on local issues.
