Sophia Chikirou Officially Enters 2026 Paris Mayoral Race as La France Insoumise Candidate

Sophia Chikirou, the La France Insoumise (LFI) deputy for Paris, officially launched her candidacy for the mayoral election in March 2026, positioning herself as the representative of "popular Paris" neglected by the Socialist majority headed by Anne Hidalgo. Chikirou’s announcement on November 14, 2025, follows a June 2023 declaration of her intent to prepare for the municipal elections with the ambition of making LFI the leading political force in Paris.

Backed by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, she openly criticizes Hidalgo's administration for its costly expenditures, including the controversy around Hidalgo's 6,000-euro dresses, and opposes any alliance with the Socialist candidate Emmanuel Grégoire. Instead, Chikirou plans to run independently from the leftist coalition, while remaining open to ecological allies. Her campaign focuses on reducing housing costs and promoting community education reforms, especially amid ongoing education sector strikes.

Despite her divisive reputation even within left-wing circles and an ongoing investigation for aggravated fraud related to 2017 campaign finances—which she denies and attributes to political motives—Chikirou remains determined. Recent polls show her with 12% voting intentions in the first round, potentially advancing to the runoff. She plans to mobilize 5,000 LFI activists in left-leaning districts and hopes to capitalize on possible reforms to the Paris electoral system.

Her candidacy may complicate the left's efforts to retain control of Paris as right-wing candidate Rachida Dati is polling favorably. Chikirou expressed frustration with her current legislative role, saying, "The deputy mandate is exciting, but there is enormous frustration in not being able to meet people's demands." The confirmed contest against Socialist Emmanuel Grégoire sets the stage for a heated intra-left rivalry in the upcoming municipal elections.