Budget, social housing, Airbnb and child protection: this Friday, June 19, sensitive issues were plentiful at the municipal council meeting. Often lively debates that highlighted the deep disagreements between the majority and opposition.
The battle over the unified budget
After a tribute dedicated to Eric Roy, the session opened with a first hot topic, the vote on the unified financial account (CFU) for the 2025 fiscal year, which records the year’s accounting operations. Presented by Olivier Breuilly, operating revenues show 704 million euros for expenses of 601 million.
As for debt, it stands at 529 million euros, with a debt repayment capacity of 7.9 years. The current financial availability of the local authority is also 23.4 million euros.
Philippe Pradal, from the former majority, was quick to rely on these figures to defend the previous majority’s record. He mentions a “robust growth dynamic” assuring that “the numbers always end up speaking” with a 1.4 million euro increase in financial availability compared to 2024.
A record that Olivier Breuilly wished to qualify by recalling the 40 million euro investment deficit left by the former majority.
It was also an opportunity for the opposition to question the 60 million euro savings plan planned by the current majority, with 52 million in tax cuts. Éric Ciotti claimed this tax cut as “our first political act,” announcing savings targeted at communications and elected officials’ allowances. Nevertheless, the amended decision presented in session currently only shows 5.9 million euros in identified savings according to Philippe Pradal.
400 housing units financed, opposition denounces a sham
The majority also voted on a subsidy of 5,031,850 € for the creation of 400 housing units divided between 135 family homes, 50 places in inclusive facilities for disabled people, a social residence with 183 units and a family boarding house with 25 places.
The aim being mainly to reduce the penalty under the SRU law, which costs the city approximately 14 million euros gross each year, “Nice having only 14% social housing” reminds Julien Picot.
Patrick Allemand welcomed the intention while denouncing a display effect. Indeed, a significant part of the announced housing corresponds to specialized facilities or reconstruction operations. He recalled that « 70% of Nice’s population is eligible for social housing […] and that 17,000 applications were on the waiting list in 2023. » The resolution was nevertheless adopted unanimously.
The majority relaxes Airbnb rules, opposition speaks of a real setback
A topic that promised to be complex and controversial. Indeed, the new regulations increase from 90 to 120 days per year the authorized rental period for a primary residence, extends from 3 to 5 years the duration of change of use authorizations and brings into compliance the quota area.
Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux denounces a “major setback” in a city where housing is among the most expensive in France, accusing the majority of favoring “investors and platforms” at the expense of residents. She also recalls that quotas are concentrated unevenly in the least privileged neighborhoods.
Eric Ciotti defended a “liberal” line: with 700 authorizations reaching their end and only 691 new ones possible over four months, he assures that there will be globally fewer tourist furnished rentals by the end of 2026 than in 2025.
Child protection measures that are unanimous
The resolution, presented by the mayor himself, follows the Terra Amata leisure center affair, where a suspect was involved in sexual assaults on children. A matter that also echoes that of Lyhanna.
The new regulations, initiated by Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux with the reporting mechanism at the previous council, thus create a dedicated hotline for families, strengthen recruitment procedures with psychological evaluation, implement training for staff, a labeling system for leisure facilities and a position of territorial referent for children’s rights.
Subsidies for sustainable development associations
On the sidelines of the most heated debates, the council also approved subsidies totaling 36,550 euros to associations defending nature and animals.
The council subsequently validated a partnership with the MyPet Asso association, which will benefit from free public domain use for the third edition of Woofest.
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