French Municipal Elections: Ciotti Leads in First Round, Estrosi Faces Uphill Battle
The first round of the municipal elections in Nice, France, has delivered a significant blow to incumbent Mayor Christian Estrosi (Horizon). Eric Ciotti (UDR) has emerged as the frontrunner, confirming pre-election polls and setting the stage for a potentially dramatic second round.
A Stunning Result for Nice
According to initial estimates from Ipsos BVA Cesi, Eric Ciotti secured a commanding 41.9% of the vote, while Christian Estrosi trailed with 31%. Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux’s list garnered 12.2% of the votes. This represents a substantial gap of over 10 percentage points between the two right-leaning candidates.
The news sparked celebrations among Ciotti’s supporters gathered at his campaign headquarters in the port of Nice. Conversely, a somber atmosphere descended upon Estrosi’s campaign headquarters, with supporters visibly stunned by the results.
The Political Landscape in Nice
Mireille Damiano (LFI-Mouvement Viva!) secured 9.8% of the vote, leaving her list’s participation in the second round uncertain. The outcome could lead to a three or four-way contest, depending on Damiano’s final results.
This election has been a closely watched contest, with national and local media focusing intently on Nice, a city of 357,000 inhabitants and 228,006 registered voters. The voter turnout exceeded 50% by the end of the day, with 23.8% participation recorded by midday, according to the official city website.
The Candidates and Their Platforms
The duel between Christian Estrosi, a 70-year-old former LR member now aligned with Édouard Philippe’s Horizon party, and Eric Ciotti, his 59-year-old former right-hand man who founded the UDR (Union of the Right for the Republic), has dominated the campaign. This marks the first real-world test of the alliance between the Republican right and the Rassemblement National (RN).
Estrosi, seeking a fourth term, has emphasized his track record and a renewed team, highlighting the youthfulness of his list with 13 candidates under 40. Ciotti, with his “The best is yet to come” list, aimed to capitalize on dissatisfaction with the incumbent.
Other Contenders in the Race
Beyond Estrosi and Ciotti, five other lists participated in the election, representing parties ranging from Reconquête! to Lutte Ouvrière. Despite the high stakes, the left failed to unite, resulting in multiple candidates vying for votes:
- Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux (Ecologist), supported by the Socialist and Communist parties
- Mireille Damiano (LFI-Mouvement Viva!)
- Estelle Jaquet (Lutte Ouvrière)
- Céline Forjonnel (SE) for Nice démocratie directe
- Cédric Vella (Reconquête!)
Looking Ahead to the Second Round
In 2020, Estrosi won a decisive victory against an far-right candidate, Philippe Vardon, with Jean-Marc Governatori (Ecologist) exceeding 10%. This year, Governatori has aligned with Eric Ciotti, a notable shift in the political landscape.
The second round promises to be a pivotal moment for Nice, with the potential for a shift in political power. The question remains: will Nice lean towards the right, or will Estrosi be able to rally support and retain his position as mayor? Stay tuned for further updates and analysis as the election unfolds.
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