Five reflections before diving into the concrete.
1- Abstention in Nice, as elsewhere, is not good news for democracy. In our city, it might have been further encouraged by the lack of uncertainty about the result, given the weakness of the opposition. However, even in these circumstances, it is important to remember that winning is more legitimate than losing or being eliminated, despite some statements suggesting otherwise.
2- Christian Estrosi’s score is very high, but it is ultimately the electoral reflection of pre-election polls where 80% of people from Nice expressed satisfaction with the mayor’s performance (including on notably divisive issues like the tramway). Beyond political jousting, there are significant trends that need to be acknowledged; democracy is not just the froth of social media events.
3 – The far-right, in a city reputed to be favorable to it, achieved a low score even though it will be the main opposition force.
4 – The environmentalists did not benefit in Nice from the green wave. Beyond a highly stigmatizing second-round campaign for potential partners, we can see Richard Chemla’s effect, who will within the new city council embody this non-punitive environmentalism desired by many in Nice.
5 – The institutional left has disappeared from the municipal landscape in Nice and is now only represented by a few elected officials, including myself and Marc Concas, on lists that were not left-wing. While the political situation is better for this political family across much of France (the example of Marseille is enlightening), in Nice, a collective suicide has led to its disappearance.
After this long period during which the outgoing mayor preserved the essentials, the new majority will have to get to work. They will do so, if I judge by the atmosphere that prevailed last night within the group, with enthusiasm and even impatience under the oversight, as is fitting in a democracy, of an opposition that we can hope to be responsible and constructive.
