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Mayors

Paris Mayor's Funding of Guinea Pig-Cuddling Project Draws Fire

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Paris's socialist mayor, Anne Hidalgo, has come under criticism for allocating €2,500 (£2,158) for a "guinea pig-cuddling" project, part of a larger €300 million (£259 million) package to fund various initiatives in 2025. The project, run by the association Pat à Pas (Paw by Step), aims to promote wellbeing, self-sufficiency, and animal-assisted therapy among children. However, the Citizens' Transparency group has taken issue with the project, along with several others, citing a lack of transparency and rigour in the management of public funds.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Paris town hall has allocated €2,500 (£2,158) for a "guinea pig-cuddling" project as part of a larger €300 million (£259 million) package to fund initiatives in 2025.
  • The project, run by Pat à Pas (Paw by Step), aims to promote wellbeing, self-sufficiency, and animal-assisted therapy among children.
  • Citizens' Transparency, an association fighting against corruption, has listed the project among several others they consider "questionable" and "daft", citing a lack of transparency and rigour in the management of public funds.
  • The group has launched a petition calling for an immediate review of the criteria for awarding subsidies, with over 700 signatures gathered so far.
  • The project has sparked a heated debate online, with some users questioning the merits of spending money on cuddling guinea pigs when there are more pressing needs in the city.
  • Paris's town hall has defended the project, stating that it helps children's psychosocial skills, including emotion regulation.

Statistics:

  • €2,500 (£2,158) allocated for the guinea pig-cuddling project
  • €300 million (£259 million) package for various initiatives in 2025
  • 700+ signatures on the Citizens' Transparency petition
  • €11.5 billion (£9.9 billion) in total spending approved by the Paris town hall
  • €1.75 billion (£1.5 billion) in investment approved by the town hall
  • €275 million (£237 million) in extra levies imposed by the government to reduce the state deficit

Sources:

  • Paris's socialist mayor Anne Hidalgo
  • The association Pat à Pas (Paw by Step)
  • Citizens' Transparency, an association fighting against corruption
  • Benoit Tessier/Reuters
  • Wayne Shipley/Peterhouse Photography
  • X (anonymous users' online comments)

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