Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo's Expenses Scandal Sparks 'War of the Expenses'

The political landscape in France has been rocked by yet another scandal, this time centered on Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. The embattled left-wing mayor has been accused of spending public funds on luxury fashion and travel, prompting a fierce backlash. In a desperate bid to deflect criticism, Hidalgo has adopted a 'scorched earth' tactic by disclosing the expenses of all district mayors in Paris, a move that has been dubbed the 'war of the expenses'.

Background and Context

Anne Hidalgo, 66, has been the mayor of Paris since 2014, serving a tumultuous 12-year term. A member of the Socialist Party, she has overseen significant urban transformations, including the greening of the city, the promotion of cycling, and the successful hosting of the 2024 Olympic Games. However, her tenure has also been marked by controversy, particularly regarding her use of public funds. The latest scandal erupted after an anti-corruption group, Civic Transparency, obtained receipts under a freedom of information request, revealing that Hidalgo had charged €6,320 for two Dior dresses, a Burberry coat for €3,067, a Dior blouse for €1,120, and €858 on beauty treatments during the Paralympics in Tokyo. In total, the receipts for €84,200 in clothing and travel expenses were uncovered.

Details of the Scandal

Hidalgo defended her purchases, stating that the clothing was necessary for official engagements and that she had not exceeded her expenses ceiling. However, the optics were damaging, leading to posters across Paris bearing the slogan: 'Parisians: this is how Hidalgo spends your money!' Opposition politicians, such as Paul Hatte of the council's center-Right, called for her resignation, alleging theft and describing the spending as 'luxury' that the public has been financing for years.

Retaliation: Opening All Mayors' Expenses

As the scandal deepened, Hidalgo's close ally Éric Lejoindre, the Socialist mayor of the 18th arrondissement, faced embarrassment over expenses that included €6,500 on dry cleaning, two lunches at a luxury hotel totaling €1,248, and a €104 bottle of Bordeaux, along with pizzas for his children. In response, Hidalgo opened the expenses of all 20 arrondissement mayors to press scrutiny, a move she claimed was in the interests of transparency. This triggered a wave of revelations, including Philippe Goujon, the right-wing mayor of the 15th arrondissement, spending €150 per person per meal, and Jean-Pierre Lecoq, right-wing mayor of the 6th arrondissement, spending €745 on women's shoes during a holiday.

Political Fallout

The disclosures have caused outrage among both left-wing and right-wing mayors. One unnamed right-wing district mayor accused Hidalgo of adopting a 'after me, the deluge' attitude, calling her actions irresponsible. Even her allies expressed unease, with one asking: 'Does she want to drag us all down with her?' The scandal has reignited Hidalgo's rivalry with Rachida Dati, the combative right-wing culture minister and likely successor, who has attacked Hidalgo's record. However, Dati faces her own scrutiny for failing to declare €400,000 worth of jewelry and watches, which she received from an ex-boyfriend.

Broader Implications for French Politics

This scandal comes amid a series of political crises in France. Former President Nicolas Sarkozy was recently sentenced to five years in jail for conspiring to finance his 2007 presidential campaign using funds from Muammar Gaddafi. Additionally, a political crisis threatens to topple President Emmanuel Macron after bringing down his government, with his popularity sinking to a record low. The expenses scandal further diminishes public trust in politicians, a trend that has been exacerbated by the actions of Hidalgo and others.

Hidalgo's Defenders and Achievements

Supporters of Hidalgo have dismissed the controversy as sour grapes and misogyny, arguing that it will pale in comparison to her achievements. They highlight the successful Olympic Games, the promotion of cycling, the greening of Paris, the halving of pollution, and major urban projects. Her deputy, Lamia El Aaraje, accused the opposition of stooping to 'Trumpism,' while Communist senator Ian Brossat argued that Hidalgo's expenses are being discussed ad nauseam while Rachida Dati's affairs are ignored. They also pointed out that the transparency campaign was funded by a billionaire businessman with ties to the far-Right, suggesting a political motive.

Historical Context: Previous Scandals

This is not the first time Hidalgo has faced scrutiny over her use of public funds. An anti-corruption group filed a criminal complaint against her last year for misusing taxpayers' money, leading to a police raid on her offices. The inquiry is ongoing. In late 2023, she was accused of spending £52,000 on a work trip to Tahiti, which she extended for a two-week holiday. She faced further criticism for posting photos of herself cycling by the Seine while actually in French Polynesia, giving the impression she was in the capital.

Political Capital and Future

Hidalgo's political capital has nosedived. She received only 1.7% of the national vote in the 2022 presidential election, the Socialist Party's worst ever result. Barely 2% of Parisians voted for her. Her favored successor was defeated in a recent Socialist primary by Emmanuel Grégoire, a former deputy mayor whom she reportedly detests. As she heads into the final six months of her term, the expenses scandal threatens to further tarnish her legacy. However, her supporters remain optimistic, believing that her contributions to the city will be remembered positively in the long term.

Key Facts

• Anne Hidalgo spent €84,200 on clothing and travel expenses, including Dior dresses and a Burberry coat, charged to the public purse.
• She retaliated by releasing the expenses of all 20 arrondissement mayors, leading to revelations of lavish spending by both left-wing and right-wing officials.
• The scandal occurs against a backdrop of political crises in France, including Sarkozy's jail sentence and Macron's declining popularity.
• Hidalgo's supporters argue the controversy is politically motivated and downplay its significance compared to her achievements.

Source: Yahoo News News