Just days before the 2026 municipal elections, cultural actors in the city are denouncing the danger they see in the possible arrival of Éric Ciotti at city hall and calling for citizen mobilization.
This Wednesday, March 11, at 6 p.m., at the call of the CGT-Spectacle of the Alpes-Maritimes, a demonstration will be organized by Nice’s cultural actors in front of city hall. Jonathan Gensburger , actor and union member, explains that this gathering responds to a national and local concern: « this demonstration is called for by the CGT-Spectacle, and at the national level, by Sophie Binet, we are calling on people to mobilize in all cities where the far right risks coming out on top. We believe that the far right is not a republican force and represents a danger. » He points out that Nice is a striking example of this risk: « once again, Nice is a textbook case, where the risk is very strong. »
Culture and subsidies threatened
The union representative highlights the potential consequences for the cultural sector: « when the far right comes to power, it first disrupts the world of culture, then the associative network and advocacy associations, particularly LGBTQIA+ ones. We have already seen civil servants fired and theaters taken over by direct municipal management. »
Regarding the local and practical dimension of the demonstration, Jonathan Gensburger clarifies: « this call is open to the widest audience, parents, citizens, association leaders. We want to remind people of the importance of cultural subsidies and their connection to municipal management. » He emphasizes that the movement aims to protect culture as a social bond: « we defend culture as a means of living together and sharing performances. It’s not just a flashy vision of grand theaters. »
Union and citizen engagement
The actor explains his personal motivations and his role in the support committee for Mireille Damienot‘s slate: « I have been an actor for 25 years, a freelance performer, and a member of the CGT-Spectacle. I joined the support committee to bring strength and ideas to the campaign, but I am not officially on the slate. » He recalls the history of his engagement: « my first demonstration dates back to April 2002 against Jean-Marie Le Pen. It is important to remind people that even those who have never demonstrated can mobilize today to defend public freedoms. »
For Jonathan Gensburger and the CGT-Spectacle, the mobilization aims to alert people to the danger that the far right represents for culture and local democracy: « there is a climate where decisions seem to depend on the whims of certain people, and we want to remind people that there must be calm social dialogue and respected democracy in Nice. » The union representative concludes: « this demonstration allows us to not remain passive at home and to show that culture and workers’ rights are a priority. »
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