İmamoğlu supports Paris mayor in French presidential race

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has announced his support for Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo who recently launched a bid for the French presidency. “I wish my friend and counterpart Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris, the best of luck in her new journey as a presidential candidate in France,” İmamoğlu said in a tweet on Sept. 20.

Monday September 20 2021 05:46 pm

This file photo shows Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu (L) and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo during a signing ceremony.

Duvar English

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has wished Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo good luck for her journey as a presidential candidate in France.

İmamoğlu shared his message in a tweet on Sept. 20.

I wish my friend and counterpart @Anne_Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris, the best of luck in her new journey as a presidential candidate in France. pic.twitter.com/EBZB3v5utu
— Ekrem İmamoğlu (International) (@imamoglu_int) September 20, 2021

Earlier in September, Paris' socialist mayor Hidalgo threw her hat in the ring for France's 2022 presidential election.

The 62-year-old Hidalgo, who won re-election to a second term as Paris mayor last year, has been both applauded and vilified for her eco-minded administration of the French capital, pushing the envelope as she has pushed motorists out of the city center in favor of cycling lanes and green spaces.

Hidalgo is not the only woman eyeing the Elysee Palace — right-wing populist Marine Le Pen from the far-right opposition party National Rally (RN) and center-right politician, Valerie Pecresse, have also thrown their hats into the ring.

According to recent polls, Hidalgo would garner just 8% of votes.

The first round of the presidential election is scheduled for April 10, 2022.

The main contenders are expected to be incumbent Emmanuel Macron andLe Pen.

Current polling suggests voters will be divided between Macron and Le Pen in the key second round of voting, due a month later.