Anne Hidalgo passed-over for top U.N. refugee post : report

Dec. 16, 2025

Mayor Anne Hidalgo (P.S.-Paris) had been seeking to lead the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. She reportedly had the backing of President Emmanuel Macron (RE-France). However, the United Nations has indicate that it will seek Assembly approval for the appointment of Barham Saleh, a former president of Iraq.

Further Reading :

• ONU : espéré par Anne Hidalgo, le Haut-Commissariat pour les réfugiés attribué à l’Irakien Barham Saleh [Le Parisien]
  Dec. 12, 2025 — La maire (PS) de Paris Anne Hidalgo avait fait savoir en avril dernier qu’elle convoitait le poste. Finalement, sa candidature a été écartée par l’ONU.
• Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo's bid for UN refugee chief met with skepticism in Geneva [Le Monde]
  Aug. 29, 2025 — As the Geneva-based agency grapples with a severe funding crisis following US withdrawal, it must appoint a new leader in early 2026. The Paris mayor's candidacy has yet to win over skeptics.
• Paris Mayor Hidalgo tells paper she will not seek re-election in 2026 [Reuters]
  Nov. 26, 2024 — Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, 65, announced on Tuesday she will not seek a third term in 2026, ending her tenure as the first woman to lead the French capital. The Socialist mayor, who has held office since 2014, said she wanted to announce her decision early to allow for a smooth transition. She endorsed Senator Remi Feraud as her preferred successor.

Key Words :

• Anne Hidalgo
• Barham Saleh
• Rémi Féraud
• United Nations