2024 Legislative Elections: Key Takeaways from the Debate of the 1st Constituency of Nice

The second round of the 2024 legislative elections is approaching. The candidates from the three-way race in the 1^st constituency of Nice exchanged views on their programs during a debate. Here’s a summary for you.

The 1^st constituency includes the port, the eastern districts (Bon-Voyage, Riquier, Vinaigrier, l’Observatoire, Saint-Roch, Mont-Boron). Those in the center (Garibaldi, Carabacel, Jean-Médecin, Masséna, Vieux-Nice, Gambetta, Grosso, Le Piol, les Baumettes).

This Wednesday, July 3, the France 3 Côte d’Azur set welcomed Graig Monetti, from Ensemble/Horizons, Olivier Salerno (LFI), a candidate under the New Popular Front, and Éric Ciotti (LR/RN), president of the Republicans group.

First of all, the candidate of the presidential majority, Graig Monetti, presented himself as an alternative “something other than the hideous National Rally of Mr. Ciotti, and the despicable France Insoumise of Mr. Salerno.”

Despite calls to withdraw, and the “threats,” the deputy mayor of Nice chose to continue his campaign. According to him, he had “no reason” to step down. He describes himself as a candidate of “resistance” against “one who lied, betrayed” and “one who is part of a political stable where anti-Semites are tolerated.” He concluded: “if it were a socialist candidate, I would have withdrawn.”

For Éric Ciotti, his speech is an “attack” on the people of Nice who “trusted him” by voting for him and on the French “who trusted the right-wing coalition.”

“The chaos was installed by your camp,” castigated the outgoing candidate. He cites: “the economic chaos, the security chaos, the political chaos” of the previous government, with which Graig Monetti is associated.

Olivier Salerno also has a comment for the Ensemble/Horizons candidate for these 2024 legislative elections: “If we were 3^rd, I would have withdrawn.” He added: “You ask those who have voted for the left, as they have always done for you, to withdraw in the second round for a right-wing candidate proposed by the Estrosi clan.”

“You are a sham Republican,” Olivier criticized.

Meeting the Needs of the French

Regarding purchasing power, the NFP candidate recalls his party’s program. Price freezes for essential goods such as basic shopping cart items, the minimum wage at 1,600 euros net. Or even a progressive tax with 14 brackets.

For Ciotti, money should be sought through savings to be made. “We have the record for the highest taxes with mandatory levies,” he explains.

He wants to abolish the ARS (Regional Health Agencies), begin the abolition of the Region. But also lower VAT on energy, and provide a solution to housing costs. He denounces the mayor of Nice with whom, in October, taxes increase by 25%.

Monetti points at the outgoing deputy: “elected for 17 years, neither victory nor progress on these issues he talks about,” he summarizes.

His proposals: “Not to increase taxes at source by a single cent.” He also believes it is important to “revalue retirement pensions”. According to him, removing contributions on overtime will “reward work once again”.

According to Éric Ciotti, delinquency and crime are the results of immigration and drug selling/consumption. Thus, he proposes: “expulsion of foreign delinquents.” But also “three times more places in Nice in the Detention Center for illegal foreigners.”

For the Ensemble candidate, it is necessary to “massively recruit” national police and gendarmes. This would help relieve and support municipal police officers.

Salerno highlights what seems to him to be an automatism: “repression alone does not work without prevention. A peaceful police presence is lacking.” That is, “putting humanity back in.”

The Flaws of the RN Candidates in the 2024 Legislative Elections

To remind with whom the president of the Republicans has associated, Graig Monetti confronts Éric Ciotti with the latest RN controversies. “What do you think about this RN candidate in Caen who had to withdraw because he wore a Nazi cap? What do you think about this candidate under guardianship in Jura?”

“Did Estrosi write the notes for you?” retorted Éric Ciotti.

Moving forward in the debate, to respond to the doctor shortage, Ciotti proposes: “more doctors, more training”. Monetti believes we must work on the profession’s attractiveness in the city, notably with a “housing offer” for doctors.

Ciotti adds: “State medical aid is all free healthcare for illegals.” Salerno proposes a solution, stating there should be “strengthening the public service” and “tapping into the top 8% wealthiest.”

“In proportion, a top executive like Bernard Arnault pays much less tax than small business owners and self-employed entrepreneurs,” he details.

Regarding culture, Éric Ciotti laments the absence of the TNN. Therefore, he wants to build a theater at the Gare du Sud.

Graig Monetti explains what he is already doing in terms of culture for Nice: “I handle the carnival, Nice Jazz Festival.” As a deputy, he would like to extend the cultural pass to 25 years old. But also “to make museums free for residents in all cities.”

See you at the polls this Sunday, July 7 for the second round of the 2024 legislative elections.