Just under two months away from the municipal election, positions are multiplying in Nice. The 2030 Winter Olympics, housing, transport, energy, and food security structure the debates. Here’s an overview of recent statements from the main candidates.
Mireille Damiano (Nice Front Populaire)
Mireille Damiano expressed her stance on the 2030 Winter Olympics during an interview on BFM TV. The head of the Nice Front Populaire list reiterated a clear opposition to the project in the South. The Olympic law is described as an “exceptional law,” particularly concerning security, social, and environmental aspects. Mireille Damiano mentions extensive video surveillance, the use of private organizations, and exemptions from labor laws. The project is also described as “completely ecocidal”, with significant CO₂ production and the use of artificial snow.
The candidate claims that if elected as mayor of Nice, no ice events would be held in Nice. The sale of land in the Var plain, totaling 15,000 m², is deemed precipitous. The lack of guarantees on the future use of the Olympic village is highlighted. The housing crisis is underscored, as well as the cost of sports infrastructures, including a new ice rink estimated at 200 million euros, partially funded by local authorities.
Eric Ciotti (The Best is Yet to Come)
Eric Ciotti spoke at a press conference on January 15, 2026. The UDR-RN candidate expressed his support for hosting the 2030 Winter Olympics, while contesting the project as it is designed in Nice. “I am personally in favor of France, the Alpes-Maritimes, and Nice hosting the 2030 Winter Olympics”, declared the deputy. The municipal project is seen as imposed “hastily and without consultation.”
Several alternative proposals have been suggested. The use of Allianz Riviera for hockey is rejected. Temporary facilities are mentioned at other sites. The Olympic village is proposed at the Auvare site, with conversion into a student campus. The ice rink project in the Var plain is contested in favor of existing facilities, like Jean-Bouin or the Palais des Expositions.
The list has been strengthened by the arrival of Pierre Ippolito, expected to be deputy for businesses and vice president of the metropolitan area. Patrick Baqué, former dean of the Faculty of Medicine, has also joined the list.
Christian Estrosi (All for Nice)
The list All for Nice has launched multiple attacks against Eric Ciotti. Patrick Mottard, a running mate and deputy mayor, targeted the links between the UDR-RN candidate and the National Rally. RN elected officials, including Lionel Tivoli, close to Eric Ciotti, are cited as members of a Facebook group where “racist and anti-Semitic comments are supposedly made.” Patrick Mottard declared: “I urge Eric Ciotti to clarify his position and distance himself from Mr. Tivoli!”
A second statement focused on the Olympic dossier. The All for Nice list claims the RN candidate “stumbles on the Olympics matter.” The cost of the ice rink is specified, with the city’s participation limited to 20%. The future Olympic village is presented as a housing and public service project post-2030. The proposal of an alternative site to Auvare is deemed unrealistic. The economic benefits are estimated at 400 million euros and 5,700 full-time equivalent jobs.
Jean-Marc Governatori (Ecology at the Center)
Jean-Marc Governatori dedicated a press conference to energy and food autonomy. The candidate supported by Ecology at the Center and Animal Generation wants to involve the ultra-wealthy of Nice in this project. Three issues are highlighted: food situation, energy situation, and dependence on nine raw materials. According to Jean-Marc Governatori, their scarcity would lead to mass unemployment.
The program relies on local organization, conceived as a “community of villages.” Shared gardens, energy renovation, solar, geothermal, and heat networks are mentioned to ensure the city’s autonomy. Nice’s dependence on a single high-voltage line is pointed out, as well as a share of renewable energies estimated at 8%.
Sixteen ultra-wealthy residents are called to contribute financially, without tax increases. “I need their money, I want them to do their part,” stated the candidate, who also mentions energy poverty affecting 36% of households.
Nathalie Dloussky (Together for the Grandeur of France)
Nathalie Dloussky unveiled a project for a “sovereign food shield” for Nice. The list Together for the Grandeur of France defends a municipal strategy based on food stocks, secured logistics, and stronger protection of the National Interest Market. The project plans four secure warehouses capable of covering three months of needs for 500,000 inhabitants.
The protection of the MIN is prioritized, with drones, anti-intrusion barriers, and possible requisitions in case of crisis. The candidate advocates for a civil-military relationship, supported by local armed forces. The “Nice Corps of Food Resilience” would mobilize 2,000 young volunteers.
The announced funding is based on the municipal budget and a tax on food imports. The list claims local sovereignty, without relying on European funding, and positions this project as a departure from current policies.
Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux (United for Nice)
Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux focused her communication on housing. The list United for Nice organized a press conference in front of a disused building near Thiers station. “This is an emblematic location of what’s happening in Nice regarding housing”, declared the head of the list. The transformation of the building into social housing is discussed, with the potential for around twenty units.
The pre-emption of unoccupied buildings and empty premises is proposed. According to Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux, Nice has 14% social housing, contrary to the 25% required by the SRU law, and around 5,000 vacant homes. The list also seeks to regulate Airbnbs, support small landlords, and enhance energy renovation.
On transportation, Julien Picot, running mate, condemned the abandonment of the tramway proposed by Eric Ciotti. The cut in allocations to local authorities was also criticized, with a direct impact announced for the municipalities of the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolis.
