It has everything going for it: the sunny climate and an economic dynamic which, for the moment and while things are tense everywhere else, is not breaking down.
The fifth largest city in France, Nice has long remained confined to its image as a holiday destination, forgetting the other parts of its economy, of which industry is an important part: the proof, its GDP, accumulating at 13%, is higher than that tourism.
Nice has always been the center of political attention. Not that she is the subject of airdrops. In any case, it wouldn't work: in the South, we rarely vote for those who are not local. In fact, the duel that seems to be taking shape for 2026 will pit – in all likelihood – the current mayor, Christian Estrosi, against his main challenger, Eric Ciotti.
Probably also engaged in the battle, the socialist Patrick Allemand and the various leftists Mireille Damiano, as fierce representatives of the Nice left, will complete the list of contenders.
Will Jean-Marc Governatori, green candidate in the previous election, return to the battle and convince this part of the electorate once again? Knowing that environmental protection, sustainable development, ecology are subjects that Christian Estrosi claims to have taken up, wishing to make, for example, the Operation of National Interest (OIN) Eco-Vallée, a showcase eco-technologies and while Nice will host the United Nations Ocean Conference, UNOC-3, next June. We note that on this point, the Ifop survey shows that the fight against climate change is a subject of satisfaction for 59% of those questioned. We could have expected more, given Christian Estrosi's stated desire on this sensitive theme and given that the Coulée Verte, this green space in the city center initiated ten years ago, was extended a few months ago and could have brought additional points of satisfaction to the mayor of Nice.
Even if he also launches into the electoral battle again, the ex-RN Philippe Vardon, who has moved to the side of Marion Maréchal, should not overshadow Eric Ciotti, who for once benefits via his alliance with the National Rally, of a certain number of voices which perhaps would not have naturally turned towards it.
The fact remains that the municipal election is a special election, where the personality of the woman or man who claims the mayor's chair counts almost as much as the actions. With three mandates behind him, Christian Estrosi has a track record, which is not the case for his other fighters. The very early announcement of his candidacy for 2026 may have lacked context and explanations on the desire to seek a new electoral mandate. This exercise seems, at a minimum, essential…
