A majority of Parisians supported the closure of 500 streets to cars, turning them into pedestrian zones and adding greenery, though voter turnout was notably low.
In a city referendum held on March 23, 66% of voters endorsed Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s initiative to transform streets across various neighborhoods, removing parking spaces and enhancing public spaces with greenery.
Despite the strong support for the proposal, turnout was extremely low. Out of approximately 1.4 million eligible voters, only around 54,500 people cast their ballots, a mere 4% of the population, according to Le Parisien. In previous referendums, voter participation has never surpassed 8%.
The city opened 223 polling stations from 9 AM to 7 PM, and this vote marked the first Paris referendum in recent years where voting was extended to people aged 16 and older. Mayor Hidalgo emphasized the importance of engaging young people in such decisions, stating that “involving young people in such processes is important for the survival of our democracies.”
