The support committee for Éric Ciotti was officially launched this Saturday, January 31, in Nice, during an event organized at the Laure Écard hall. The event gathered about 500 people in a packed room, signaling the beginning of a mobilization that aims to be extensive and organized for the municipal campaign.
Under the leadership of Jean-Pierre Rivère, the president of OGC Nice, the support committee demonstrated its intention from its foundation to gather people from diverse backgrounds. However, this had consequences for the sports leader. According to various testimonies reported during the meeting, Jean-Pierre Rivère was allegedly attacked following his joining the committee. Just before the launch, a deputy mayor of Nice supposedly threatened him, saying: “You’ll see in late March, the broom.” Statements collected illustrating the political frictions surrounding the municipal campaign. Moreover, Professor François Demard, who was the general director of the Centre Antoine Lacassagne and founder of the Institute of the Face and Neck, and Élise Cammas, former captain of the Niss’Angels, also co-chair the committee. The composition shows the local roots and the diversity of profiles engaged in this dynamic support.
The composition of the support committee reflects this aspiration for openness. Philippe Silve, president of UNPI, Christophe Brémard, president of the Association of Nice Center Right Bank Traders, Bernard Chabert, an optician based in Nice, Max Estin, an artisan shoemaker, and Max Alunni, founder and director of the Albax body shop are just a few notable members. Participants from the economic and artisanal domain, as well as figures from the security sector. There are also institutional profiles who have long been engaged in local life, such as Jean-Marc Le Gars, honorary State Councilor and lawyer at the Nice bar, Régis Asso, former head of general security in Nice, Colonel Benoît Kandel, former head of the gendarmerie of the Alpes-Maritimes, as well as Olivier Riquier, colonel of the firefighters. The committee also includes personalities from the associative and cultural sectors, such as Sonia Leroux, president of the association A Smile for Enzo, Stéphane Erbs, co-president of an association of victims of the July 14 attacks, Bruno Deschamps, president of the Musical Moments of the Alpes-Maritimes, not to mention Yves Courmes, writer and musicologist. The organizers present this wide range of support as an indication of a rallying beyond parties, deeply rooted in Nice’s society.
Thus, this launch represents a crucial phase of Éric Ciotti’s municipal campaign. The formation of this support committee clearly aims to establish mobilization around a project for the city. “Our common bond is the love for Nice,” expressed Éric Ciotti, emphasizing the necessity to gather beyond political divisions. In his speech, he also highlighted what he perceives as a regression of cultural policy locally, claiming that “many cultural structures have been withdrawn.” A statement that sparked shouts of approval and applause among the audience. During this meeting, Éric Ciotti delivered a mobilizing speech, urging the start of a transformation dynamic for the city and to develop a forward-looking campaign. He particularly advocated for the use of artificial intelligence in municipal management, considering that it would promote “better parking organization, smoother traffic flow, and advances in health.” The deputy of the first constituency of the Alpes-Maritimes emphasized the importance of rallying forces around an ambitious municipal project before an audience including associative leaders, economic players, as well as personalities from the cultural and sports world.
“This daily strategy will be led by deputies in tune with the districts, who will represent the true essence of Nice.” He then made a call to action to his supporters: “We have less than 45 days, my friends, to bring about this renewal.” This victory is at the end of the road, but it is necessary to set out in search of it. “We have considerable resources at our disposal, and it’s your resources that are being put to use,” he said laughing. “The victory will not simply be ours, let alone mine, it will be yours. Our city is worth it.” The meeting ended in an atmosphere that was both friendly and militant, to the tune of The Marseillaise, followed by Nissa la Bella.
