Paris 2026 Municipal Elections: Campaigns Heat Up Amid Périscolaire Safety Scandal

As the 2026 Paris municipal elections approach, candidates are intensifying their campaigns while confronting public concern following revelations of systemic flaws in the city’s périscolaire (after-school care) system. This issue has become a focal point, with multiple candidates calling for urgent reform and transparency.

Sophia Chikirou, leading La France insoumise (LFI) candidate, begins her campaign with an eye on building on her party's strong prior performances in Paris, where Jean-Luc Mélenchon secured 23.2% of the vote in the 2022 presidential election, and LFI won four of eighteen parliamentary seats in 2024. Chikirou emphasized the importance of local representation, stating, “It is not normal that our ideas are not represented at the local level when many decisions are made there.” Her campaign launched November 14, 2025, with a major event planned for January 30, 2026.

Meanwhile, a January 29 investigation aired by France 2’s “Cash Investigation” has exposed serious failures within the city’s périscolaire system, which serves over five million children daily. Poor working conditions—including low pay and fragmented schedules—have been linked to inadequate supervision and abuse. Parents recounted ignored complaints about inappropriate conduct, including an animator kissing a child on the lips at a kindergarten in the 7th arrondissement.

Rachida Dati, the mayor of the 7th arrondissement and a mayoral candidate, condemned the silence around these issues as an “omertà,” demanding a comprehensive inquiry and emergency action plan to address rising violence against children. Echoing this call, Chikirou proposed a parliamentary inquiry, initiated by parents’ concerns, seeking to clarify and rectify these systemic issues.

Other prominent left-wing candidates, such as Patrick Bloche, first deputy mayor, acknowledged significant dysfunctions in incident reporting. Emmanuel Grégoire expressed outrage and underscored the need for revamped oversight and procedures to protect children from abuse.

The périscolaire controversy has thrust child safety and transparency to the forefront of election debates, adding urgency to all candidates’ campaigns. The unfolding investigations and proposed remedial actions will likely shape voter priorities ahead of the upcoming municipal vote.