[null, null, {"document_url": "https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9965027/Anne-Hidalgo-vows-to-sue-Nathalie-Kosciusko-Morizet-in-Paris-mayor-race.html", "unformatted_src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02524/Kosciusko-Morize_2524351b.jpg", "src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02524/Kosciusko-Morize_2524351b.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Kosciusko Morize b", "alt_text": "Anne Hidalgo vows to sue Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet in Paris mayor race", "rendered_width": 620, "rendered_height": 387}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9965027/Anne-Hidalgo-vows-to-sue-Nathalie-Kosciusko-Morizet-in-Paris-mayor-race.html", "unformatted_src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01768/Samuel_60_1768753j.jpg", "src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01768/Samuel_60_1768753j.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Samuel j", "alt_text": "Henry Samuel", "rendered_width": 60, "rendered_height": 60}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9965027/Anne-Hidalgo-vows-to-sue-Nathalie-Kosciusko-Morizet-in-Paris-mayor-race.html", "unformatted_src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03294/11783_460x100_worl_3294016a.jpg", "src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03294/11783_460x100_worl_3294016a.jpg", "formatted_filename": "worl a"}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9965027/Anne-Hidalgo-vows-to-sue-Nathalie-Kosciusko-Morizet-in-Paris-mayor-race.html", "unformatted_src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03586/camp-summary_3586289g.jpg", "src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03586/camp-summary_3586289g.jpg", "formatted_filename": "camp summary g", "alt_text": "Work began on Monday to clear a shanty town outside Calais used by migrants trying to reach Britain after the French government won a legal battle to dismantle part of the Jungle camp.", "rendered_width": 140, "rendered_height": 87}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9965027/Anne-Hidalgo-vows-to-sue-Nathalie-Kosciusko-Morizet-in-Paris-mayor-race.html", "unformatted_src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03576/eagle_3576396g.jpg", "src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03576/eagle_3576396g.jpg", "formatted_filename": "eagle g", "alt_text": "Frontman Jesse Hughes blows a kiss before the start of the concert ", "rendered_width": 140, "rendered_height": 87}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9965027/Anne-Hidalgo-vows-to-sue-Nathalie-Kosciusko-Morizet-in-Paris-mayor-race.html", "unformatted_src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03572/lemon-festival-clo_3572883g.jpg", "src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03572/lemon-festival-clo_3572883g.jpg", "formatted_filename": "lemon festival clo g", "alt_text": "Sculptures decorated with oranges and lemons in Menton on the French Riviera ahead of the start of the ", "rendered_width": 140, "rendered_height": 87}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9965027/Anne-Hidalgo-vows-to-sue-Nathalie-Kosciusko-Morizet-in-Paris-mayor-race.html", "unformatted_src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03503/potd-paris-eiffel_3503625g.jpg", "src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03503/potd-paris-eiffel_3503625g.jpg", "formatted_filename": "potd paris eiffel g", "alt_text": "The Eiffel Tower is lit with the blue, white and red colours of the French flag in Paris, France to pay tribute to the victims of a series of deadly attacks on Friday in the French capital. The City of Paris motto ", "rendered_width": 140, "rendered_height": 87}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9965027/Anne-Hidalgo-vows-to-sue-Nathalie-Kosciusko-Morizet-in-Paris-mayor-race.html", "unformatted_src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03348/waterloo-sunday-ca_3348601g.jpg", "src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03348/waterloo-sunday-ca_3348601g.jpg", "formatted_filename": "waterloo sunday ca g", "rendered_width": 140, "rendered_height": 87}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9965027/Anne-Hidalgo-vows-to-sue-Nathalie-Kosciusko-Morizet-in-Paris-mayor-race.html", "unformatted_src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03259/summ_3259826g.jpg", "src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03259/summ_3259826g.jpg", "formatted_filename": "summ g", "alt_text": "The Chauvet cave replica", "rendered_width": 140, "rendered_height": 87}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9965027/Anne-Hidalgo-vows-to-sue-Nathalie-Kosciusko-Morizet-in-Paris-mayor-race.html", "unformatted_src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03240/supertide-msm-cutt_3240616g.jpg", "src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03240/supertide-msm-cutt_3240616g.jpg", "formatted_filename": "supertide msm cutt g", "alt_text": "The supertide submerges Mont Saint-Michel's narrow causeway, cutting off the historic commune", "rendered_width": 140, "rendered_height": 87}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9965027/Anne-Hidalgo-vows-to-sue-Nathalie-Kosciusko-Morizet-in-Paris-mayor-race.html", "unformatted_src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03602/Rat_climbs_over_ma_3602877g.jpg", "src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03602/Rat_climbs_over_ma_3602877g.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Rat climbs over ma g", "alt_text": "Rat climbs over man", "rendered_width": 140, "rendered_height": 87}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9965027/Anne-Hidalgo-vows-to-sue-Nathalie-Kosciusko-Morizet-in-Paris-mayor-race.html", "unformatted_src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03602/teengroped1_3602805g.jpg", "src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03602/teengroped1_3602805g.jpg", "formatted_filename": "teengroped g", "alt_text": "Teenager 'groped' and pepper-sprayed at Wisconsin Donald Trump rally", "rendered_width": 140, "rendered_height": 87}, null, null, {"document_url": "https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9965027/Anne-Hidalgo-vows-to-sue-Nathalie-Kosciusko-Morizet-in-Paris-mayor-race.html", "unformatted_src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03602/Wombat-1-e_3602888g.jpg", "src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03602/Wombat-1-e_3602888g.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Wombat e g", "alt_text": "Old and frail wombat is rescued", "rendered_width": 140, "rendered_height": 87}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9965027/Anne-Hidalgo-vows-to-sue-Nathalie-Kosciusko-Morizet-in-Paris-mayor-race.html", "unformatted_src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03602/egypt1_3602688g.jpg", "src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03602/egypt1_3602688g.jpg", "formatted_filename": "egypt g", "alt_text": "Passengers from hijacked flight arrive in Cairo", "rendered_width": 140, "rendered_height": 87}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9965027/Anne-Hidalgo-vows-to-sue-Nathalie-Kosciusko-Morizet-in-Paris-mayor-race.html", "unformatted_src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03549/scientist-in-lab_3549159g.jpg", "src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03549/scientist-in-lab_3549159g.jpg", "formatted_filename": "scientist in lab g", "alt_text": "Scientist in lab ", "rendered_width": 140, "rendered_height": 87}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9965027/Anne-Hidalgo-vows-to-sue-Nathalie-Kosciusko-Morizet-in-Paris-mayor-race.html", "unformatted_src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03285/Progress_17__3285797f.jpg", "src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03285/Progress_17__3285797f.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Progress f", "alt_text": "Progress 17 supply vehicle departs from the International Space Station", "rendered_width": 219, "rendered_height": 137}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9965027/Anne-Hidalgo-vows-to-sue-Nathalie-Kosciusko-Morizet-in-Paris-mayor-race.html", "unformatted_src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02626/obama_2626645f.jpg", "src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02626/obama_2626645f.jpg", "formatted_filename": "obama f", "alt_text": "Barack Obama warns American dream is in danger of becoming a 'myth'", "rendered_width": 219, "rendered_height": 137}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9965027/Anne-Hidalgo-vows-to-sue-Nathalie-Kosciusko-Morizet-in-Paris-mayor-race.html", "unformatted_src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03208/oscars-summary-2_3208754f.jpg", "src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03208/oscars-summary-2_3208754f.jpg", "formatted_filename": "oscars summary f", "rendered_width": 219, "rendered_height": 137}, null, {"document_url": "https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/9965027/Anne-Hidalgo-vows-to-sue-Nathalie-Kosciusko-Morizet-in-Paris-mayor-race.html", "unformatted_src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03101/old-trafford_3101399f.jpg", "src": "https://secure.i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03101/old-trafford_3101399f.jpg", "formatted_filename": "old trafford f", "rendered_width": 219, "rendered_height": 137}, null]


Anne Hidalgo vows to sue Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet in Paris mayor race

The all-women battle for mayor of Paris has taken a tense judicial turn after Socialist favourite Anne Hidalgo pledged to launch legal action against Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, the Right winger, for "mendacious" defamation claims. Socialist favourite Anne Hidalgo (left) and Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, the Right winger Photo: AFP/Getty Images 
3:20PM BST 01 Apr 2013


Miss Hidalgo's decision to press for charges came as the race to succeed Socialist mayor Bertrand Delanoë in next year's municipal elections looks set to be a surprisingly close-fought duel between the outgoing mayor's designated heir and NKM, as the conservative former environment minister is known.

Miss Hidalgo, 53, blasted Miss Kosciusko-Morizet, 39, for telling Le Journal du Dimanche that she was tired of receiving "moral lessons" from a Left-wing rival who had been "convicted in 2012 to paying a 20,000-euro fine" for "concealed labour" in an urban planning workshop.

The claim was "perfectly false", Miss Hidalgo's lawyer Patrick Klugman claimed, insisting that the sentence was "twice dropped".

"Anne Hidalgo particularly reproves the fact that Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet has chosen to initiate her campaign with such defamatory claims and does not accept her integrity being put into question," he said. "She has thus mandated me to take legal action against these unacceptable comments."

Miss Hidalgo said the claims were "unworthy of a dignified and respectful campaign".


Miss Kosciusko-Morizet, who has pledged to bar anyone convicted of corruption from running on her electoral lists, said her rival had no problem running in one led by Socialist Paris area leader Jean-Paul Huchon, despite his previous conviction for "illegal interest taking".

She added that Paris councillor Mireille Flam continued to receive Mr Delanoë's backing despite being embroiled in favouritism claims.

The mudslinging followed a poll published in Saturday's edition of Le Parisien suggesting Miss Kosciusko-Morizet has now drawn almost level with Miss Hidalgo – who, until recently, was way out in front in voter intentions.

The poll put Miss Hidalgo just two percentage points ahead of her UMP rival on 51 per cent in a projected second round run-off between the two women.

The poll is a surprise given that almost 56 per cent of Parisians voted for Socialist François Hollande in last year's presidential elections.

The same poll found that Rachida Dati, the glamorous former justice minister and Miss Kosciusko-Morizet's main Right-wing rival, would lose heavily to Miss Hidalgo if she were picked as the conservative candidate in June primaries. In that case, Miss Hidalgo would win by 58 per cent to Miss Dati's 42 per cent.

Given her dwindling chances of success, Miss Dati is reportedly considering pulling out of the race, with one fellow Right-winger telling Le Parisien: "When we ask about primaries she just chuckles".

Miss Hidalgo is the sole Socialist candidate. But her campaign has failed to take off - despite publishing a book called My Fight for Paris and making a series of media appearances, most recently with her husband in Paris Match, aimed at raising her lacklustre profile.

French media say she has been hit by plummeting nationwide approval ratings for Mr Hollande and his government, and Parisians' disapproval of school reforms.

Miss Kosciusko-Morizet, meanwhile, has been praised for a "near faultless" start to her campaign, and has the support of 79 per cent of Right-wing sympathisers.

Also potentially in the running are Rama Yade, Nicolas Sarkozy's former sports' minister, and green star Cécile Duflot, current housing minister.