Canine-themed promises of free drinks and subsidized vet care dominate Paris mayoral race

In a contest projected to be decided by only a few thousand ballots, each vote matters – even those cast by the capital’s dissatisfied dog owners, as the candidates vie to become Paris’s next mayor.

The two leading contenders in Sunday’s runoff, left‑wing candidate Emmanuel Grégoire and former conservative culture minister Rachida Dati, have each pledged a series of dog‑oriented policies should they be elected – and the proposals have a clear basis.

In the 2020 municipal elections, roughly 57,000 ballots distinguished the victor, incumbent Socialist mayor Anne Hidalgo, from her nearest challenger, Dati. This year’s contest is anticipated to be even closer, while Paris is home to over 100,000 dogs.

“That translates to about 170,000 votes,” explained Loïc Amiot of Paris Condition Canine, a coalition of ten dog‑owner groups in the city that has issued a manifesto calling for improved conditions for Parisian dogs.

“Currently, restrictions dominate and allowances are rare. We intend to change that,” Amiot added, pointing out that of roughly 550 parks and open areas in Paris, only 165 permit leashed dogs and the municipality provides merely 43 fenced zones where dogs may roam off‑lead.

Seeing a political opening, Grégoire created a dedicated Instagram profile for dogs, HotdogswithEmmanuelGrégoire, which features various canines “encouraging the prospective mayor of Paris to increase dog runs”.

Dati, also contesting the election, posted several images of herself with dogs on social media, stating that they have “not yet found their proper place in the city” and that she would “broaden access citywide, both on‑lead and off‑lead, in dedicated runs … throughout the capital.” A number of additional candidates have made similar dog‑friendly commitments.

The contest for Paris’s mayoralty, controlled by the Socialist Party since 2001, remains too tight to predict. Grégoire, a former deputy mayor, secured the first round with 38%, Dati followed with 25.5%, and radical‑left candidate Sophia Chikirou placed third with 11.7%.

The remaining runoff qualifiers, centrist Pierre‑Yves Bournazel (11.3%) and far‑right Sarah Knafo (10.4%), withdrew after Sunday’s first round; Bournazel combined his list with Dati’s, while Knafo called on her supporters to “defeat the left” by supporting the conservative.

Consequently, for Grégoire’s left‑green coalition to retain the mayoralty, it may have to rely on centrist Bournazel supporters hesitant to vote for Dati and on Chikirou backers concerned that a radical‑left vote could hand the win to the right.

Paris ranks among the world’s most densely dog‑populated cities, with roughly 2,857 dogs per square kilometre. Dati, mayor of the 7th arrondissement, has organised “doggy drinks” events and advocates “shared spaces” that allow residents “to bring their pets without inconvenience or stigma”.

Grégoire has likewise pledged additional outdoor areas and subsidised veterinary appointments, and, echoing Chikirou, intends to permit dogs on all public transport.