Residents of Paris have expressed their support for a project aimed at pedestrianizing and creating green spaces on numerous streets throughout the city, as revealed by results from a consultative vote held on Sunday, March 24. Approximately two-thirds of participants in the poll endorsed the initiative, known as the “garden roads” project; however, voter turnout was notably low, with only 4% of the electorate participating.
Under the leadership of Socialist Mayor Anne Hidalgo, the Paris city hall has frequently utilized such informal referendums to advance various initiatives, including previous decisions to ban rental e-scooters and increase parking fees for SUVs. The opposition, led by right-wing factions, accuses Hidalgo of using these votes as a tactic to lend an appearance of legitimacy to her policies.
“This vote underscores our dedication to expanding pedestrian spaces and enhancing the greenery of Paris,” stated Christophe Najdovski, the deputy mayor responsible for green spaces, in an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP). In response to the low turnout, Nelly Garnier from the right-wing opposition remarked, “Parisians were not interested in participating in a public relations campaign orchestrated by the city hall.”
Hidalgo, who has served as mayor since 2014 and intends to step down in the 2026 elections, has received praise from supporters for her efforts to reduce traffic in the city center. However, critics argue that she has not adequately addressed the everyday challenges faced by residents of the French capital.
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Her recent initiatives to combat congestion and enhance air quality in Paris include restricting one lane of the heavily trafficked ring road to car-sharing vehicles during peak hours and lowering the speed limit on the highway. Nonetheless, detractors claim that these measures merely relocate traffic, resulting in increased congestion in other areas, while also allowing issues related to security, cleanliness, and public transportation to worsen.
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