Anne Hidalgo could hardly have made a worse slip of the tongue by supporting Rémi Féraud for his succession in Paris

POLITICS – Small ball, big competition. Anne Hidalgo made her first trip with Rémi Féraud since she designated him as her potential successor as mayor of Paris. The opportunity to praise the merits of Emmanuel Grégoire… His former colleague at city hall but now rival for 2026.

The mayor and senator of Paris (53 years old) actually met with the press this Thursday, November 28, in the 20th arrondissement of the capital. For Anne Hidalgo, it is a question of supporting her new runner-up, little known to the general public – even less than her rival Emmanuel Grégoire. This was without counting on a particularly unwelcome slip of the tongue in the current context and in the face of the specter of a fratricidal war.

« At certain times, there are some who can bring people together more than others, this is entirely the case for Emmanuel Grégoire », Launched the mayor to the press, quoting her former first deputy with whom she is at odds. Before correcting with the name of Rémi Féraud, to the laughter of the audience.

“The queen of blunders”

“I talk about Emmanuel Grégoire because he was my first deputy and I have respect for his work”she justified herself, adding that she was “the queen of blunders”. It must be said that if this blunder is so delicate – or tasty, it depends – it is above all because the war of succession which is looming in Paris promises to be thorny.

A week before this campaign trip, the former faithful of the Parisian councilor, Emmanuel Grégoire, who became a deputy, also declared himself a candidate for “relieve tensions” and become “the mayor of the reconciliation of Parisians”. The 46-year-old parliamentarian, long favorite to become the heir of the socialist, has already received the support of 450 activists from the Parisian PS federation which has around 3,000. As of Tuesday evening, he launched his campaign in front of around 200 members. 'enters, pleading for a “new, more soothing method”.

Opposite, Anne Hidalgo, who criticizes her former heir apparent for his proximity to the boss of the PS, Olivier Faure, whom she accuses of being responsible for her defeat in the 2022 presidential election, with a historically low score (1.74% ), calls for a rally. But behind Rémi Féraud, designated successor. To the point of asking Emmanuel Grégoire, now a deputy, to renounce his candidacy.

“We want to do things together, to do with him, his intelligence, his commitment. Emmanuel, come with us, it’s no use, look, everyone is here”she said this Thursday in front of the press, alongside the PS district mayors and numerous deputies. A way to put pressure on this former loved one. But proof, too, that it doesn't come out of his head.

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