Municipal Elections 2026: Candidates' Promises on the Topic of Solidarity

In March 2026, specifically on March 15 and 22, French voters will head to the polls for the municipal elections. Across the roughly 35,000 communes in France, citizens will choose their municipal councilors. This elected council then votes to pick the mayor. For six years, the mayor is responsible for governing the town and serving its residents — overseeing a broad range of issues such as education, safety, finances, and the management of local assets...

As both a local elected official and a representative of the State, the mayor’s role is to serve the needs of the community. This position grants them certain powers and responsibilities in the realm of solidarity. This includes tackling poverty and social insecurity, combating social exclusion, and providing aid to the elderly, people with disabilities, and homeless individuals...

In this area, the mayor has several tools at their disposal: the municipality is required to allocate between 20 and 25% of social housing depending on the region, and it plays a key role in fostering local territorial solidarity. The mayor can also develop social services to support the elderly or vulnerable populations, establish partnerships with associations to assist those in difficulty, or oversee some emergency shelters or rehousing centers...

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Local officials work closely with the department, the region, and government agencies, as well as public services, social organizations, and associations. The municipality must allocate part of its budget to these support efforts, while also developing initiatives and concrete plans, overseeing their effective implementation, and building dedicated centers and housing developments...

Community support is a key concern for many people, meaning residents can be directly or indirectly affected by the decisions and initiatives of the city mayor. Candidates running for Paris mayor have put forward various promises and proposals related to this issue. Here’s a look at the official statements from the candidates for the 2026 municipal elections.

Paris 2026 Municipal Elections: Candidates' Proposals on Solidarity

Pierre-Yves Bournazel (Horizons – Backed by Renaissance)

• Redesign the subway system and equip each line to ensure that people with reduced mobility can easily access public transportation (source: CNews)
• Prioritize access to social housing for workers commuting to Paris, especially "essential" workers (source: CNews and the Journal du Grand Paris)
• Build 15,000 social and intermediate housing units annually (source: Le Parisien)

Sophia Chikirou (La France Insoumise / New Popular Paris)

• Welcoming migrants in Paris
• Implementing long-term integration policies and de facto citizenship for residents of Paris
• Declaring a humanitarian emergency for all homeless individuals in Paris, including refugees and migrants
• Establishing shelters and assistance points for emergency accommodation, healthcare, and basic needs such as food and hygiene facilities
• Ensuring protection for unaccompanied minors, women, and young female migrants
• Promoting sustainable housing solutions
• Supporting migrant integration through employment opportunities and training programs

(Source: official campaign site)

Rachida Dati (Les Républicains/Modem/UDI)

• An inclusive metro system for everyone (source: official candidate's website)

Emmanuel Grégoire (Left-Wing Coalition: PS – Socialist Party, PCF, Green Parties, Place Public, L’Après)

• Construction of 60,000 affordable and social housing units (Source: Les Echos)
• Renovation of 35,000 social housing units (Source: Les Echos)
• Fighting addiction by expanding and securing "addiction care points" (Source: Le Figaro)
• Implementing a unconditional emergency shelter plan for homeless individuals (Source: Le Figaro)
• Dedicated services for seniors and single-parent families (Source: Le Figaro)
• "Coup de pouce" support program for family caregivers (Source: Le Figaro)

Sarah Knafo (Reconquête)

• Prioritize allocating social housing to early childhood professionals
• Rotate the distribution of social housing by giving preference to low-income families
• Eliminate subsidies for so-called "politicized and activist" associations that do not contribute to the "municipal interest"

(Source: official website of the candidate)

Thierry Mariani (National Rally - UDR)

• Establishment of secure housing options for survivors of domestic violence
• Implementation of a national priority, along with a dedicated priority for workers, in the allocation of social housing
• Expansion of intergenerational housing to combat elderly isolation and support students in finding accommodations

(Source: Official campaign website)

Marielle Saulnier (Lutte ouvrière)

As of January 20, 2026, the candidate's official website still does not feature any concrete proposals or measures explicitly focused on solidarity.

To learn more about the candidates for the Paris city hall, explore our in-depth report.

2026 Paris Municipal Elections: Candidate Program Proposals by Theme
The municipal elections are just around the corner, and you're eager to learn more about the candidates’ platforms for the Paris city hall? We've got you covered. Explore their proposals by theme—security, housing, environment, education, culture—and see where each candidate stands! [Read more]