It’s eating away in all directions. Everyone is trying to overtake or find a queue jump through an acquaintance. It's grating, obviously: some have been waiting for two hours in front of the Boscolo hotel, boulevard Victor-Hugo in Nice, for the president of the National Rally, Jordan Bardella, to sign his book (1). The National Rally security service puts all of this back on track. Hundreds of people lined up this Saturday morning to meet, for some, Jordan Bardella for the first time. “I am very happy, in this federation that I have just taken over, to see so many people”, rejoices Alexandra Masson, deputy for the fourth constituency and new boss of the Alpes-Maritimes Federation. Big smile on her lips, she goes from one group to another, shakes hands, blows kisses. “It’s a very nice signing session for the president of the largest party in France. He loves the South, the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes. He has a great popularity rating.” Laurent Merengone, Nice regional councilor for the popular right and the National Rally, is not shying away from his pleasure. “There is a real enthusiasm for Jordan, like at the meeting in the Nikaïa hall, it’s an honor for us. There are a lot of young people.”
Among these young people waiting in line, Esteban, 13 years old. “Since I was little, my parents and my brother have been interested in politics. So I was immersed in it.” He waits patiently in the queue. “I think he has a good vision of France that many people don’t have.” He says, smiling at the question, that he does not want to take Bardella's place later. “I just want him to be in power.”
The president of the National Rally is on his business. Impeccable hairstyle, cobalt blue suit, he enjoys his popularity without showing any fatigue. However, he was the night before at Toulon, from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. He continues with Nice. “We’re going to speed up because I have a plane for Paris,” he tries to abbreviate in front of the journalists, in order to concentrate on his readers. “I'm going to try to visit a lot of cities, whether we have a new or old base (…) I'll come back to the region, it's a tour that will last several months.”
On the local political situation, he slips: “I am here, Éric Ciotti is the best candidate to carry our hopes to Nice.” A pre-campaign for the 2026 municipal elections? “It's a pre-campaign of everything. I'm taking advantage of this time which is not really a time of pure electoral campaign to meet the French. And also to tell them through this book what the reality of my ideas is. J “I've had enough during the electoral campaign of being attacked on ideas that are not mine on caricatures that we made of the National Rally.”
“To Éric Ciotti, future mayor of Nice”
While the president of the National Rally speaks, a hubbub is heard in the hotel entrance. A delegation is approaching. Éric Ciotti comes forward, some applause, some “ahhh” approval is pouring out. “Thank you for welcoming me into your home,” says Jordan Bardella to Eric Ciotti. The president of the National Rally was immediately concerned that a book was given to the president of the Union of Rights for the Republic (UDR).
Under the flashes of photographers, the president of the National Rally dedicates his work: “For Éric Ciotti, future mayor of Nice.” The person concerned welcomes these words with a broad, satisfied smile. Jordan Bardella discusses the“courageous choice” of the Riviera deputy. “This alliance is intended to continue. A whole section of right-wing voters felt like orphans and were destined, through Eric, to join us.”
The president of the Union of Rights, former president of the Republicans, says he wants “fight” in 2026. “We will win our values, in Nice as everywhere in France. The alliance that we have initiated has opened a breach which will be the path to victory. I am convinced that the French want this alliance on the right. The French see the sad spectacle of an incoherent policy, of increasing taxes, of an absence of courage.” He mentions a policy of “scribble”. The municipal ones? “We will talk about it again. But I am very happy with the dedication of Jordan Bardella. I see it as an invitation that I will think about with great interest,” he laughs.
In the background of this dedication, the requisitions for five years in prison and the possible ineligibility of Marine Le Pen for five years, in the trial of the parliamentary assistants. What to reshuffle the cards? “We are going to fight, retorts Jordan Bardella. These requisitions are disproportionate. We are not talking about personal enrichment. We are talking about an administrative disagreement on the use of parliamentary assistants in the European Parliament. (…) I think that behind these requisitions there is a bias which aims to prevent Marine Le Pen, double finalist in the presidential election from potentially running in 2027.” And if Marine Le Pen were prevented, what would her personal future be? He avoids the subject which would nevertheless open up a political avenue for him. “We will fight and ensure that this does not happen.”
The signings follow one another, the queue stretches around the corner of the neighboring street. “I have to eat with him, worries Eric Ciotti. There are so many people that I don’t know if there will be time.”
(1) “What I'm looking for”, Éditions Fayard
