Municipal elections 2026 in Paris: Grégoire alone against Dati and Chikirou… Summary of the explosive debate between the finalists

During nearly three hours, the debate on BFMTV and Le Figaro TV, ahead of the second round of the 2026 Paris municipal elections, was particularly charged. Emmanuel Grégoire, Rachida Dati, and Sophia Chikirou displayed their differences on local issues on Wednesday. But it wasn’t just that.

Unsurprisingly, the debate also highlighted the strong tensions between the Socialist Party and France Insoumise, as well as criticisms of the bridges opened by some right-wing parties to the far-right.

Grégoire denounces the “moral rupture” of the right

Leading in the first round, Emmanuel Grégoire made sure to draw clear lines with the other two finalists. The candidate from the united left, excluding LFI, insisted that he only had “one opponent, Rachida Dati,” the candidate from the right and center, considering the Insoumise Sophia Chikirou as his “competitor.”

“Can you imagine for a moment… Jacques Chirac, elected Mayor of Paris with the support of Jean-Marie Le Pen?” he exclaimed, referring to a “historic moral rupture” with “the republican right that maintained a completely watertight barrier against the far-right.” Grégoire stated that it would be impossible to be elected Mayor of Paris on Sunday without the explicit support of the Parisian and national far-right, given the numerous leaders who have supported her.

Sarah Knafo, a far-right candidate qualified for the second round, indeed withdrew her list to “defeat the left,” while Pierre-Yves Bournazel’s list merged with Rachida Dati’s. The latter urged voters to “mobilize for change in Paris on Sunday,” saying, “After a quarter of a century of the left in Paris, Paris needs a new momentum. So the choice is simple. Either we continue with a left that has failed at everything, or we change.”

Chikirou pushes back against both Grégoire and Dati

Arriving third last Sunday, Sophia Chikirou presented herself as “the only true opponent” to the right and center candidate. While Emmanuel Grégoire acknowledged “common points” with the Insoumise deputy who maintained her list after refusing to merge, he said that “the hardness” of Sophia Chikirou’s campaign against him made any alliance impossible.

The LFI candidate, on her part, made a point of sending both front-runners back and forth. “Ms. Dati, I hope we will get rid of her… The right is over. They have done too much harm to people,” she attacked, also criticizing Emmanuel Grégoire for wanting to “continue the same policies” with “the same budget.”

Promises about extracurricular activities

At the heart of this unique debate among the finalists, the issue of sexual violence in extracurricular activities took a central place. “We will rethink everything,” promised Emmanuel Grégoire, targeted by his two competitors on this scandal. Sophia Chikirou, on the other hand, pledged to unlock an additional 19 million euros annually for extracurricular activities.

Housing, ecology, security… The candidates laid out their programs, often talking over each other. Rachida Dati promised to reduce property tax in Paris, without quantifying this measure. Regarding the issue of refugee camps in northern Paris, the Insoumise candidate, urged for “a solidarity shock” for the homeless in a “dire” situation.

When asked about her trial in September for corruption and influence peddling in the Renault-Nissan affair, Rachida Dati denounced Emmanuel Grégoire’s “outrageous attacks.” “In terms of business, I am not at that level; they are picking on me for a coffee maker and microwave affair,” quipped Sophia Chikirou, who will be tried in May for fraud.

Especially, the two candidates regularly threw Emmanuel Grégoire back to the legacy of the outgoing mayor, Anne Hidalgo. “We don’t hear you taking responsibility for your record,” reproached the Insoumise. Grégoire, on the other hand, said he was “very grateful” towards Anne Hidalgo and Bertrand Delanoë, mayor from 2001 to 2014. “I am an heir of the left, and I am very proud of it.”