In her latest move to make Paris a greener city, Mayor Anne Hidalgo has set her sights on sports utility vehicles (SUVs). Following the successful ban on rental electric scooters earlier this year, Hidalgo is now proposing to increase parking fees for SUVs through a citywide referendum scheduled for February. While the low ownership of cars, including SUVs, in the 20 districts of Paris proper suggests minimal opposition to the measure, suburbanites who commute into the city may feel the impact more strongly.
The referendum on SUV parking fees is expected to mirror the outcome of the e-scooter ban referendum, where only a fraction of the electorate turned out and overwhelmingly voted against e-scooters. Hidalgo’s determination to reduce the presence of polluting vehicles in Paris aligns with her goal of tackling environmental issues and building on the success of the e-scooter ban. However, critics suspect that her timing is aimed at diverting attention from her own controversial actions, particularly her extended personal trip to New Caledonia and French Polynesia in October.
The extended trip became a matter of concern as it coincided with the aftermath of the October attacks in Israel and the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Critics argue that Hidalgo’s absence from the city during such a critical period raises questions about her priorities and commitment to public service. The mayor’s office defended the trip, stating that extending official visits for personal reasons is a common practice and that Hidalgo personally covered the expenses for the additional part of her trip and the return airfare.
While the primary purpose of the visit was to pay respects at a cemetery in New Caledonia, which is funded by the city of Paris, Hidalgo also scheduled meetings with local elected officials in French Polynesia and planned to view the famous surf spot at Teahupo’o, which will feature in the upcoming Paris Olympics. However, due to local protests over the environmental impact of a new Olympic viewing platform, the culminating moment of the visit did not take place.
The opposition to Hidalgo’s actions has been vocal, with right-wing council members criticizing the appropriateness of her trip to the other end of the world at a significant cost. The cost of Hidalgo’s visit amounted to nearly €60,000 (£52,300). Critics argue that her visit to the Olympic site was unnecessary since the minister of sport and the head of the Olympics committee had already visited. The environmental discrepancy between her public stance on car usage in Paris and her extensive air travel also drew strong criticism from opposition councilor Nelly Garnier.
As Paris prepares for the referendum on SUV parking fees, the impact on suburbanites who rely on their SUVs for work or pleasure should be closely monitored. While Hidalgo has assured that Paris residents will not be affected by the increased parking fees, the potential financial burden on those outside the city may stir further dissatisfaction, especially considering the mayor’s controversial personal trip and the concerns it raised about her priorities and commitment to addressing pressing issues.
