Paris Armenians Rally Behind New Mayor in High-Stakes Vote Against Pro-Azerbaijani Candidate

INTERVIEW: The election of Emmanuel Grégoire as mayor of Paris is being seen by members of the Armenian diaspora not just as a local political outcome, but as a significant moment for their community’s voice and influence in one of Europe’s most important capitals.

Grégoire, a Socialist politician and longtime figure in Paris city leadership, won the closely watched race with about 51% of the vote, defeating right-wing candidate and former minister Rachida Dati, as well as hard-left contender Sophia Chikirou. While the election carries national political weight ahead of France’s next presidential race, for many Armenians in Paris, the stakes were deeply personal.

Paris is home to one of the largest and most active Armenian communities in Europe. For decades, the diaspora has played a visible role in civic life, advocacy, and political engagement—particularly on issues related to Armenia, Artsakh, and regional geopolitics. This election became another moment where that engagement was clearly felt.

At the center of concern for many in the Armenian community was Rachida Dati, widely viewed by diaspora members as politically aligned with Azerbaijan and the Aliyev family. That perception shaped how Armenian voters and community leaders approached the race.

Franck Papazian, a prominent member of the Armenian diaspora in France, told The Armenian Report that the choice in the election was clear for many in the community.

“The Armenian community in Paris had a choice between the election of Emmanuel Grégoire, who represents the continuity of Anne Hidalgo’s term, and the election of Rachida Dati, a candidate close to Azerbaijan and the Aliyev couple. We clearly and strongly campaigned for the election of Emmanuel Grégoire, of course,” Papazian told The Armenian Report.

His comments reflect a broader sentiment among diaspora Armenians who have become increasingly active in European political spaces, especially as tensions in the South Caucasus continue to shape diaspora priorities abroad.

Papazian also sharply criticized Dati, pointing not only to geopolitical concerns but also to her legal challenges and political record.

“Rachida Dati represents everything we dislike in politics. The fact that she is due to stand trial from September 16 to 28, 2026, for corruption and influence peddling in the Carlos Ghosn–Renault case speaks volumes. She is suspected of having received €900,000 from the RNBV subsidiary between 2010 and 2012, while she was a Member of the European Parliament, in exchange for alleged lobbying services. She is also under investigation in another case for suspected lobbying on behalf of GDF-Suez,” he told us.

“You can clearly understand that Paris deserved far better than Rachida Dati.”

For many in the Armenian diaspora, Grégoire’s victory represents continuity with the policies of outgoing mayor Anne Hidalgo, under whose leadership Paris has maintained strong symbolic and political ties with Armenia. These ties have included public statements, commemorations, and visible support during times of crisis.

Grégoire himself framed the election as a decision about the identity and direction of Paris, saying after his victory that the city had chosen to remain true to its values and history.

For the Armenian community, that message resonated beyond city politics. It reinforced a sense that their concerns—particularly around foreign policy influence, historical memory, and human rights—remain part of the broader conversation in Paris.

As France moves toward its next presidential election, the outcome in Paris may carry wider political implications. But for Armenians in the city, this vote has already sent a clear message: their community is organized, engaged, and ready to shape the political landscape on issues that matter most to them.

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