The Alpes-Maritimes deputy has announced his candidacy for the Mayor of Nice. The confrontation with his former mentor, Christian Estrosi, promises to be direct.
Éric Ciotti has cleared up the doubt. This Wednesday, August 27, on TF1’s 1 PM news, the Alpes-Maritimes deputy confirmed that he will be a candidate for the mayoralty of Nice in March 2026. The announcement marks the official opening of a campaign anticipated for several months. It pits two political figures who share a long personal history and are now separated by an open rivalry.
“I want to inform the people of Nice of my candidacy to become mayor of Nice […] to unite, to bring together, and to provide a new perspective to this city which suffers today”, declared Éric Ciotti. In his speech, he directly targeted Christian Estrosi’s record, denouncing “rising insecurity”, “massively increased taxes”, and a “degraded financial situation.”
The deputy also presented some initial measures of his program: repealing the 25% increase in local taxes voted in 2024, installing air conditioning in schools, and improving facilities for the elderly. Announcements aimed to present a clear break from the outgoing mayor’s administration.
This candidacy completes a political evolution that began several years earlier. Former president of Les Républicains, Éric Ciotti left the party in 2024 to create the Union of the Rights for the Republic (UDR). This choice led him to form an alliance with the National Rally, which he presents as a condition for victory in Nice.
From Partnership to Confrontation
Between Christian Estrosi and Éric Ciotti, the political history is long-standing. In 1988, the former, then a newly elected deputy, recruited the latter as a parliamentary assistant. In the 2000s, Eric Ciotti became his chief of staff at the departmental council and then his first deputy when Christian Estrosi became the mayor of Nice in 2008.
This closeness gradually gave way to rivalry. Eric Ciotti made his mark on the national scene with his security-focused positions, while Christian Estrosi strengthened locally while participating in several governments. Their paths definitively diverged in 2021 when Christian Estrosi left LR to join Horizons, the party of Édouard Philippe, and approached Emmanuel Macron.
Three years later, Éric Ciotti, in turn, broke with his party. He slammed the door on the presidency of LR and founded the UDR, with the support of the RN. The two camps faced off during the early legislative elections of 2024. Ciottian candidates then won the three Nice constituencies, defeating allies of Christian Estrosi. This success reinforced the deputy’s conviction that he could aim for City Hall.
A Political and Personal Battle
The 2026 municipal election promises to be a very personal duel arbitrated by the Union of the Left. Christian Estrosi, who announced his candidacy as early as last April, bets on continuity and defending his record. Éric Ciotti wants to embody change and a return to management he describes as “closer to the residents.”
The climate is likely to be tense. The relationship between the two men is marked by years of public quarrels. Some of their close associates speak of a “fight to the death.” The tone is expected to escalate quickly over the weeks.
Both are already organizing to mobilize their supporters. The outgoing mayor will gather his supporters on Friday, August 29, during a popular meal at Albert-Ier Garden, in the city center. Two days later, the deputy will gather his followers in Levens, his other political stronghold in the hinterland of Nice.
The opposition of the two lines is clear. Christian Estrosi embodies a right allied with the presidential majority, while Éric Ciotti claims an alliance with the RN and an uncompromising stance on security and taxation.
A Campaign Under Pressure
Éric Ciotti’s entry into the race comes in a particular context. The municipal elections will be held on March 15 and 22, 2026, as announced by the government. But the campaign could be disrupted by legal matters. Three investigations involving Éric Ciotti are still ongoing in Nice, including two for embezzlement of public funds. On August 12, a new case emerged following searches at the departmental council, related to alleged political profiling.
On his side, Christian Estrosi faces recurring criticisms about his urban planning policy, budgetary choices, and some expenses deemed excessive. His opponents denounce the demolition of several public facilities and continuous rising debt.
Beyond these issues, the election also promises to be a test for national alliances. In Nice, the weight of the far-right vote is significant. Marine Le Pen, Éric Zemmour, and Nicolas Dupont-Aignan collectively gained 38% of the votes in the 2022 presidential election. Éric Ciotti hopes to capitalize on this momentum.
Christian Estrosi, for his part, bets on his political longevity, his local network, and his ability to embody stability. Mayor of Nice since 2008, he is aiming for a fourth term.
A Letter to the People of Nice
To accompany his announcement, Éric Ciotti has prepared a long letter addressed to the residents. In this text, which he plans to distribute soon, he details his personal journey and his vision for the city. He also portrays Nice through its neighborhoods, its residents, and its history.
The candidate claims he wants to “restore security”, “protect purchasing power”, and “reconnect with a true proximity policy.” He promises a reduction in property taxes and an audit of municipal finances. He also emphasizes health, ecology, and housing.
In this document, he claims his attachment to the city where he was born and calls on the people of Nice to turn the page after eighteen years of Estrosi management.
The battle for Nice will not just be a programmatic confrontation. It replays a personal relationship over thirty years old. Mentor and disciple have become irreconcilable adversaries.
The election could mark a turning point in local and national political life. It will show whether Christian Estrosi’s stronghold withstands the push of a radicalized right, or if Éric Ciotti manages to transform his alliance with the RN into a municipal victory.
The stage is set. The campaign begins.
