Two days left for Paris vote

PARISIANS have two days left to vote in the city’s first “participatory budget” – where they get to decide how part of the money is spent.

Claiming to be “handing the keys of the budget to the citizens”, mayor Anne Hidalgo is offering residents the chance to vote for their favourite projects in a scheme which will represent a total 5% of the investment budget from now until 2020, or €426million.

In this first round of the plan, €20million is up to be spent among a total of 15 possible projects next year, such as the creation of green walls, setting up temporary swimming pools or renovating bandstands.

The investment budget refers to money spent on building and renovation of public buildings and spaces, as opposed to money used to run services.

Voting for the 15 possible projects can be done online at Paris Budget or at 160 places around Paris and finishes tomorrow (October 1). The most popular projects will be included in next year’s budget, which will be finalised by the end of the year, and will get under way from January.

This year’s projects were suggested by councillors and council departments, however as of next year residents will be invited to make suggestions for projects that should be included in the vote for the 2016 budget.

The city says any resident can take part regardless of age or nationality.