We are nearing the end of an era. Anne Hidalgo, Paris mayor since 2014, will soon be leaving office. And this weekend, we vote on her replacement. In fact, there are elections all over the country. But in Paris, there are changes to how that’s going to go down this year and who is likely to take over. I’m joined by Phineas Rueckert, a Paris-based journalist who covers politics and social issues for The Nation, Jacobin and New Lines Magazine, to unpack what’s at stake, who’s running, why this election is so important, and what legacy Anne Hidalgo leaves behind.

Mentioned in this episode:

Phineas Rueckert

Phineas's substack Becoming French

Le Monde on Hidalgo's legacy

France's elections at risk of foreign interference

France's local elections, 2026

Elections as a preview for Europe

Quentin Deranque, political flashpoint

Lyon as French capital of political violence

Sarah Knafo copies Mamdani

Phineas's report for The Nation on Sarah Knafo

Audio production & editing: Matthew Jordan

⁠Music by Little Glass Men⁠