There will be no “republican front”, according to the established formula, in the city center of Nice next Sunday. Eric Ciotti appears to be the favorite. In the third sector, the former mayor of Nice is withdrawing and will support the socialist against the LR-RN.
A short night of reflection and the news is announced, this Monday, July 1st: having come third yesterday evening, the Macronist candidate will not withdraw before the second round in the city center of Nice. Graig Monetti, invested by Ensemble and supported by the mayor, Christian Estrosi, had obtained 22.8% of the votes in the first round of these early legislative elections, behind the NFP-LFI Olivier Salerno, 26.6%, both distanced by the incumbent, Eric Ciotti (LR-RN).
The Macronist instructions remain unclear – and randomly followed. Some majority pundits are calling for “block the extreme right” wherever the Ensemble came third, with a withdrawal in favor of the union of the left. Others, such as former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, recommended making an exception for rebellious France, not republican enough, according to him, to merit withdrawal.
“I am the most capable of bringing people together, I have decided to maintain my candidacy” indicates Graig Monetti on his X account (ex-Twitter). Faced with the betrayal and shame done to Nice and the people of Nice, beating Éric Ciotti and the RN is within reach” he hopes.
The dissident LR Virgile Vanier, who gathered 5.7% of the voters, gave instructions yesterday evening to block the incumbent and “clearly choose Craig Monetti.” The reserves of votes provided, however, seem too limited to threaten Eric Ciotti.
Furthermore, in the third constituency including in particular the northern districts of Nice, the outgoing and former mayor Philippe Pradal (Ensemble-Horizons) announced his withdrawal in favor of the socialist Laure Quignard (Nouveau Front Populaire), against the Ciottist Bernard Chaix (LR-FN) came in first with 41%.
