Paris, April 5, 2026 – Lamia El Aaraje, 39, has been named the first deputy mayor of Paris, succeeding Patrick Bloche. This appointment, announced following the first Paris Council meeting on Sunday, March 29, marks a significant advancement for the Franco-Moroccan politician within the Parisian executive.
A Rising Political Figure with a Clear Stance
Lamia El Aaraje, a key figure in the Socialist Party, is known for her firm social-democratic views and her opposition to La France Insoumise (LFI). Her appointment as the number two in the Paris City Hall highlights her growing influence in Parisian politics.
From Pharmacy to Politics: Her Early Career
Born in Rabat in 1986, El Aaraje arrived in France at the age of 18. She initially pursued studies in pharmacy, earning a doctorate, before shifting to health law. Her professional career began in the mutual insurance sector, where she held executive positions.
Her political engagement started in the 2010s at the Unef of the University of Limoges. In 2014, she was elected to the list of the outgoing mayor of the 20th arrondissement of Paris, Frédérique Calandra, and became deputy in charge of health and disability. She then served as a Paris councilor in 2020 and later headed the strategic commission at the central city hall.
National Assembly and Electoral Setbacks
In 2021, El Aaraje was elected as a deputy for the 15th constituency of Paris to the National Assembly. However, her mandate was short-lived, annulled by the Constitutional Council a few months later. The following year, she faced another setback, losing in the second round to Danielle Simonnet.
Ascension to the Paris City Hall
Despite these electoral challenges, Lamia El Aaraje persevered. A staunch supporter of Anne Hidalgo, she joined the Paris City Hall as deputy for disability in 2022, and then for urban planning in 2024.
In 2023, she was elected first secretary of the Parisian federation of the Socialist Party, a position she held until October 2025. In the same year, El Aaraje supported Rémi Féraud during the socialist primary to designate the candidate for Anne Hidalgo’s succession. She eventually rallied behind Emmanuel Grégoire, becoming one of his campaign spokespersons and playing a crucial role in forging the alliance between socialists, ecologists, and communists from the first round. In March, she represented the current new mayor in the first debate among candidates for the Paris City Hall.
A Figure of Consensus and Debate
Lamia El Aaraje’s appointment has generated varied reactions within the political class. While some describe her as “legitimate,” “determined,” and “tenacious,” others, such as former ecologist elected official Émile Meunier (aligned with LFI), criticize her for belonging to the “right wing of the PS.”
This new chapter in her career positions Lamia El Aaraje as a key player in the future political landscape of Paris.
