Less than a year before the 2026 municipal elections, the political climate in Nice is marked by judicial issues. Christian Estrosi and Éric Ciotti are engaged in a war of statements and procedures. Meanwhile, the leftist coalition is attempting to bring another debate to the forefront, focusing on housing and public services.
The summer of 2025 began with tensions for the municipal majority. On June 30, Christian Estrosi, mayor of Nice and member of the Horizons party, his wife Laura Tenoudji, and Delphine Ernotte, president of France Télévisions, were detained for questioning in Nice and then in Marseille. They were interrogated as part of an investigation for embezzlement of public funds, illegal conflict of interest, and forgery of public documents. These proceedings concerned the organization of two events: the Junior Eurovision and the Nice Climate Summit, both held in autumn 2023.
The detention had been lifted a few hours later. At this stage, no charges were pressed. Me Mathias Chichportich, lawyer for Christian Estrosi, stated: “Following the responses Christian Estrosi provided, it was decided to lift the measure without notifying him of any charges.” The lawyer denounced political instrumentalization and announced a complaint for malicious denunciation.
But as soon as this case settled, another shook the local political scene. Deputy Éric Ciotti is under investigation for illegal file creation. According to a whistleblower, files listing several hundred “influential” people in Nice have been assembled by individuals close to the deputy. These documents allegedly contain sensitive data: religion, origin, disability status, or property.
The Nice prosecutor’s office opened a preliminary inquiry last May. On August 12, several searches were conducted, particularly to seize computer equipment. Prosecutor Damien Martinelli confirmed that the investigation was focused on recording or keeping sensitive personal data without consent.
Revelation of this matter led to a heated exchange between the two elected officials. On August 14, Christian Estrosi spoke on BFMTV. He condemned “illegal file creation” intended to prepare for municipal elections. A few hours later, Éric Ciotti responded on X. “The slanderous, grotesque and entirely untrue remarks made by Christian Estrosi this evening on BFMTV about alleged ‘files’ are extremely serious and are a blatant manipulation,” he wrote. The deputy announced he would sue for defamation against the mayor of Nice and the media that had reported his comments.
One of his allies, Bernard Chaix, UDR deputy, backed this line of defense. On his X account, he recalled the “18 court cases” and the “30 million euros sunk for a Formula 1 Grand Prix” attributed to the mayor. According to him, the file case is “bogus.”
Controversies over public funds
In addition to these judicial tensions, there is a controversy over the use of public funds revealed by Le Figaro. Printed materials distributed by both camps are accused of constituting taxpayer-funded electoral propaganda.
Christian Estrosi’s supporters criticize a four-page paper published by Éric Ciotti in July. According to Gaël Nofri, deputy mayor, it was “a diversion of public resources.” The vice president of the Metropolis referred the matter to the National Assembly’s administrative office.
In response, Éric Ciotti’s team attacks municipal brochures distributed by the town hall. These 50-page documents defend the mayor’s record. UDR deputy Christelle d’Intorni claims they represent “hundreds of thousands of euros in public money spent to distribute the candidate-mayor’s record brochure.”
The local ecological opposition is also seizing the matter. Jean-Christophe Picard, an ecological elected official, has contacted the prefecture to report a breach of opposition groups’ right to expression. According to him, these publications are “pre-election propaganda aimed at convincing Nice residents.”
The municipality denied these accusations. They explained that these booklets are produced in-house and distributed during neighborhood meetings organized for the past two years.
Deadlock in idea debates
In recent months, Nice’s political life seems dominated by procedures, accusations, and responses. The two former allies, now fierce rivals, continue sparring, but debates on key issues remain limited.
Christian Estrosi, mayor since 2008 (with a year’s interruption N.D.L.R), is already preparing for re-election. Since this announcement, he has organized several public meetings where he defends his record but is also preparing for investing in the future of several neighborhoods in Nice.
Éric Ciotti, on the other hand, has not yet officially declared his candidacy. But everything suggests he will step in by fall. He criticizes the financial management of the city and the metropolis. He has also highlighted security issues for several years.
In this context, a question arises: where is the debate on ideas?
The leftist coalition attempts a break
While the right gets mired in scandals, the left seeks to occupy the space. On April 21, socialists, communists, and environmentalists announced their united front for the 2026 municipal elections. An unprecedented alliance in a city marked by 80 years of right-wing dominance.
Patrick Allemand, the socialist leader, clarified: “we’re not aligning because they’re fighting each other.” According to him, the shared work addresses a broader project.
LFI remains distant, refusing to join this alliance, notably in solidarity with the ViVA! collective that is excluded from it. Julien Picot, PCF departmental secretary, however, leaves “the door open” for rapprochement.
Fundamentally, priorities focus on housing and transportation. The leftist coalition wants to curb the expansion of Airbnb-type tourist rentals, develop social housing, and establish free public transportation. “Nice must become a city for its residents, not just for tourists,” said environmentalist Sandra Benjamin.
A shifting campaign?
Since spring, several public gatherings have brought together associations, collectives, and engaged citizens. Housing emerges as a central theme. The rate of primary residences is below the national average. Social housing remains insufficient. Rents continue to rise.
For participants, this situation results from political choices: tourism development, luxury real estate promotion, land speculation. They believe the municipal policy has transformed the city to the detriment of its inhabitants.
On June 21, more than a hundred people attended a new meeting organized by the “Nice 2026” initiative. Topics discussed included poverty, pollution, and overtourism. The stated aim is to build an alternative to Estrosi and Ciotti’s candidacies.
“It’s not enough to note the stalemates of Estrosi’s management. It’s not enough to denounce the threats Ciotti or Vardon pose for Nice, its inhabitants, and democracy,” summarized the organizers. Their ambition is to propose a project based on social justice, ecology, local democracy, and solidarity.
Towards an uncertain election?
As 2026 approaches, Nice’s campaign is set to be tense. Christian Estrosi and Éric Ciotti, long-time allies, are now openly clashing. Their legal troubles weaken their image and provide fodder for critics.
The left, partially but genuinely united, hopes to capitalize on this division. It bets on a social and ecological program to attract an electorate tired of personal quarrels.
The battle has only just begun. But already, a dominant impression prevails: the people of Nice expect a debate of ideas, not just a succession of controversies and procedures.
