On the evening of Monday, September 8, the son of the former President of the Republic (Nicolas Sarkozy), Louis Sarkozy, announced his candidacy for the municipal elections in Menton after months of rumors. However, this announcement was sharply criticized, especially considering its timing.
Two days earlier, Louis Sarkozy had officially announced his involvement in the politics of Menton, a city in the Alpes-Maritimes where he now resides. Despite this announcement being unsurprising given the numerous rumors circulating in previous months, the choice of timing raises questions. Indeed, this candidacy, announced via a video published on social media, for the March 2026 municipal elections in Menton occurs shortly before the fall of Prime Minister François Bayrou.
At 28 years old, the politician asserts that it is a thoughtful decision in a letter disclosing his motivations: “we wanted to create a dissociation between national and Mentonese politics. While everything is chaotic up there, we are preparing here to build a stability hub.” An advocate of the American politics of Donald Trump and those of the Argentinian Javier Milei, the columnist of the far-right magazine “valeurs actuelles” claims to be the candidate of “renewal.”
While Menton has been rocked for several years by political-financial affairs regarding the management of the city’s ports, Louis Sarkozy wishes to “write a new story with the people of Menton.” His recent political involvement has been facilitated by the withdrawal of the current mayor of the city located between Monaco and Italy, Yves Juhel. He is expected to be judged soon for embezzlement.
A candidacy strongly criticized
This announcement, although unsurprising, did not escape reactions and criticisms from various French politicians. Locally, Florent Champion, a candidate for “Menton en action” in the 2026 municipal elections, expressed his dismay, “Louis Sarkozy considers that residing in Menton for two months, three days a week, gives him the legitimacy to run for the mayor of Menton.”
The same goes for the opposition elected official and candidate for the 2026 municipal elections, Sandra Paire: “Menton does not need the parachuting of a media candidate. It needs vision, direction, seriousness, and exclusive dedication to its inhabitants.” Others do not hesitate to share their frank opinion on this announcement. Éric Ciotti stated in an interview on Sud Radio, “I will not support Louis Sarkozy in Menton. I do not understand this parachuting: the Alpes-Maritimes are not a laboratory!”
As for the main parties involved, the opinion of the people of Menton remains controversial. Some welcome this candidacy as a “breath of fresh air” while others, less informed, await a better understanding of the politician and his motivations.
