Rather jump into the Seine than take a photo with Jordan Bardella. One month before the Paris 2024 Olympics, Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, gave an interview to our colleagues from West France in which she looks back on the preparation of the biggest sporting event on the planet coming to the capital.
The councilor, who never abandons his optimism on the subject, assures that “everything is ready”: urban developments, tramway cycle paths, line 14, Olympic sites… She regrets, however, the surprise announcement of the dissolution by Emmanuel Macron and the early legislative elections of June 30 and July 7. “In a gesture of mistreatment of the French, the president spoils the party,” she comments, accusing the head of state of damaging “this beautiful moment” that is the Olympic Games.
“I won’t take any photos with him”
Above all, Anne Hidalgo fears the possible victory of the National Rally, “an earthquake” that could bring Jordan Bardella, leader of the far-right party, to Matignon. When asked about her attitude for the official photos, the mayor of Paris gets straight to the point. “I could find myself in places where he will be there, but I will not take any photos with him,” she asserts. Recalling that the Prime Minister “has no role in the organization or running of the Olympic Games.”
On the sidelines of this declaration, Anne Hidalgo recalled her role of calm in the turbulent climate in which the Olympic Games could begin, indicating that it is Paris which organizes the games, and that “there is no risk of ‘extreme right’ in the capital.
If she will not take a selfie with Jordan Bardella, the mayor of Paris repeated her promise to swim in the Seine before the Games. Rejected twice, due to too strong currents in the river and in the political life of the country, Anne Hidalgo clarified that she will go swimming between July 14 and the start of the Olympics (July 26).