More than ever, she seems to be in control.
Anne Hidalgo, calm and smiling, received us in her huge office at the Town Hall.
However, in this re-entry, the waves are breaking over the capital, from the health crisis of Covid-19 which intensifies to the economic crisis which worsens and the terrorist danger which asserts itself again.
The mayor of Paris is on all fronts, starting with that of the coronavirus which could lead the government to announce new restrictions in the capital this Sunday evening.
A few days before the opening of a new Paris Council, on October 6, the socialist councilor, comfortably re-elected in June for a second term, announces that she intends to deploy new "coronapists" in the capital ... while opening the debate on the closure to petrol cars of the upper quays of the Seine.
On the political level, she seems as comfortable to deal with security problems in the neighborhoods as to discuss the effects of the Covid in Matignon with the Prime Minister.
An experience that she could put to the service of the country during the presidential election in 2022?
Anne Hidalgo no longer says frankly "no" ...
THE COVID-19 HEALTH CRISIS
Prime Minister Jean Castex received you on Thursday to discuss the health crisis.
What did you tell him?
ANNE HIDALGO.
Jean Castex's initiative aims to re-establish a constructive dialogue with the mayors to re-establish the relationship of trust with the communities and especially with the French.
This is a good thing.
We must now work together over time and give our fellow citizens clear perspectives.
I told the Prime Minister that I was ready to support the measures taken by the health authorities, as long as they are targeted and readable for Parisians.
The health crisis will last, the French need a frank speech.
Did you play a role in the “reprieve” granted to Paris for the new health announcements?
I played the role that a mayor should play: to be as close as possible to the expectations of the inhabitants and those who bring the city to life.
When we came out of confinement, we were told that we were going to work in a very targeted way at the local level, because the situation is not the same from one region to another.
However, local elected officials have not always been listened to.
I am hopeful that this will change.
What we need is reliable information on the circulation of the virus and on the profiles most at risk of the virus to know how to protect them.
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Are you in favor of closing restaurants in Paris?
I am not in favor of it.
If a temporary closure measure comes into effect, it will have to be applied.
But we must do everything to maintain most of our economic and social life.
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Bars and restaurants threatened: "Our sector will not support a new closure"
Nicolas Bedos, Vincent Lindon say "off the masks".
What do you think of these calls for civic disobedience?
I understand this fed up, because wearing a mask all day is difficult.
When the question of making it compulsory in the public space arose, I asked the authorities to call for individual responsibility rather than general bans.
I was opposed that people could not discern.
To restore hope, governments must set reasonable horizons.
Regarding the tests, should we review the devices?
Laboratories have been overwhelmed by the massive influx of people coming to be tested.
However, we have been talking about new antigenic tests for months, allowing the presence or absence of the virus to be detected in 30 minutes.
We should have been able to use them from the deconfinement.
We are in an absolutely terrifying bureaucracy.
Ephemeral terraces “are authorized until June 2021, always upon simple declaration to the town hall” ./LP/Delphine Goldsztejn
What is the economic assessment of the crisis in Paris to date?
We have worrying indicators, such as a very significant increase in RSA recipients, especially among the self-employed.
It's an unusual audience.
Unemployment, which was very low in Paris, is up by almost 20%.
And we know that what is coming is very worrying.
There are very few international tourists, more than 50% of the hotels remained closed this summer.
The economic dynamics of Paris were stopped dead.
What can you do economically?
The town hall has funded support measures for Parisian families, especially the most modest, but also for businesses, via exemptions from patio fees or rents.
In total, the City has allocated 200 million euros in direct aid in 2020 to offset the effects of the crisis.
But our budget is not like that of the State, we cannot let the deficit slip away.
However, the recovery plan is not at all geared towards supporting communities.
Along with several other mayors, I ask that a compensation fund be created to take care of the additional expenses and the loss of income that we have had to face, especially during the confinement.
For restaurateurs, do you confirm the extension of the authorization for ephemeral terraces?
Yes, they are authorized until June 2021, always on simple declaration to the town hall.
Many residents complain about noise pollution.
Are you going to increase the controls?
These terraces saved the area and gave Parisians a little joy of living.
We all need it.
In some places there has been abuse.
We are going to implement a new, more detailed charter with restaurateurs and bars.
It will promote mediation.
But I do not want us to put ourselves in a logic of mistrust vis-à-vis restaurateurs.
The social and economic life of Paris is at stake.
CIRCULATION
“I have just given the green light to the creation of seven new“ coronapiste ”type cycle paths ./ LP / Frédéric Dugit
You announced the creation of 50 km of "coronapistes" for bicycles.
Where are you and do you plan to go further?
Forty-five kilometers have been completed.
In addition to the 50 km already announced, I have just given the green light to the creation of seven new cycle paths of this type: rue Marx-Dormoy, on the main boulevards between République and boulevard des Italiens, boulevard de l'Hôpital, rue Linois, avenue d'Ivry, rue Claude-Bernard, rue de la Grange-aux-Belles.
This will bring the total of coronapists to 60 km.
In addition, “hard” tracks from our new term cycle plan will soon be launched, such as rue Lafayette, for example.
Will the aesthetics of these tracks be reviewed?
Yes, it is our will.
Everything will not be done in a day, but, when the tracks are perpetuated, the yellow blocks will be removed, the cycle paths will be developed and made safe.
Will there be improvements on rue de Rivoli?
I wish adaptations.
In its portion along the Tuileries, we are working on doubling the lane reserved for buses, taxis and all authorized vehicles, particularly electric ones.
We are working in parallel to doubling the track dedicated to cyclists.
Are you going to expand the pedestrianization of the streets?
The work started with the mayors of the boroughs.
I invite them to make proposals to me, especially in working-class neighborhoods.
The consultation will start.
We are going to include it in the framework of the Parking and Travel Conference, which will be launched by mid-October.
Do you plan to close the upper quays of the Seine, right bank?
On this subject, we are in discussions with my team.
Shouldn't these high platforms be reserved for clean vehicles, buses and taxis?
With the transformation of the rue de Rivoli, the pedestrianization of the banks, their use must adapt.
Crossing Paris from east to west by car can no longer be done as before, it is something that must be forgotten.
Everyone evolves.
What would the deadline be?
The goal is the 2024 Olympics, which will be a tremendous transformation accelerator for Paris.
The workshops on the transformation of the ring road, which bring together Paris and the cities that surround it, will soon also continue, with a next meeting in Saint-Ouen.
The objective is to have a first step with a dedicated lane for buses and carpooling for 2024.
SECURITY
How to fight against drug trafficking in Paris?
Crack and drug trafficking are subjects of constant concern to Parisians and to the mayor that I am.
With the Paris prosecutor and the prefect of police, we must respond, it is imperative.
To fight this scourge, we need a comprehensive battle plan.
The national police must make it a major subject.
But that presupposes resources, agents, investigations which go faster.
Our municipal police, which is due to emerge with the passage of the law examined around November 17 in the National Assembly, will have to play its role.
We also need health measures to take care of drug addicts.
I am going to launch the Estates General of the fight against drugs, with the Parisians, within the framework of large public meetings where everything will be put on the table, from the beginning of next year.
An attack took place last week near the former premises of Charlie Hebdo.
What can Paris do?
What happened last week is still hard to predict.
The terrorist threat of radical Islamism remains serious.
How to deal with the issue of unaccompanied minors?
With regard to unaccompanied minors, France must live up to its vocation of hospitality and humanity.
In Paris, we have put in place “young adults” contracts so that between the ages of 18 and 21, these people continue to be followed.
We're doing everything we can.
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What do you think of Emmanuel Macron's statements on separatism?
Radical Islamism must be fought with unwavering determination.
But for that, we must also promote the values of unity and republican universalism.
And translate them into deeds.
The priority is to open up our neighborhoods, to fight against all forms of inequalities and territorial segregation.
The Borloo plan was a great opportunity.
I regret that no attention has been paid to it.
POLITICS
After your ex-assistant for Culture, Christophe Girard, your ex-assistant for the Seine, Pierre Aidenbaum, resigned after accusations of sexual harassment.
What attitude do you have towards them?
These matters are a matter of justice.
I asked those concerned to withdraw from their mandate as Paris advisers.
What is your position regarding Alice Coffin and Raphaëlle Rémy-Leleu, two elected feminist EELVs who demonstrated for the departure of Christophe Girard?
Today, we are discussing with all the majority groups in the Paris Council on the rules that must govern the proper functioning of the municipality.
Respect for people and the institution, dialogue must always be the principles that guide us all, including with the opposition.
What do you think of the positions taken by the green mayors of Bordeaux on Christmas trees or of Lyon on the Tour de France?
I met Grégory Doucet and Pierre Hurmic.
Unfortunately, this is the rule of the game: at the slightest mistake, nothing is passed to elected officials.
You must know it.
More generally, the Greens still have to work on their relationship to the exercise of power.
For the regional ones in Ile-de-France, who will you support?
Audrey Pulvar.
Thoroughly.
You told us before the municipal elections that you would not run for the 2022 presidential election. And now?
I did not change my speech.
The question of people will only arise after the establishment of a project.
Me, I am at the task at the town hall of Paris and Paris mobilizes me entirely.
And, yes, as I have always said, I will participate in the constitution of an ecological, social and citizen offer.