Since the official announcement of his candidacy for the mayoralty of Menton, in the Alpes-Maritimes, on September 8, Louis Sarkozy, the son of the former President of the Republic, has sparked numerous reactions.
The politician, referring to himself as a “mentonnais by adoption,” officially submitted his candidacy on September 8, 2025. After months of rumors, the announcement came via a video posted on social media, coinciding with the imminent downfall of Prime Minister François Bayrou. Louis Sarkozy, with a premeditated decision, desire for dissociation, and a wish for renewal for the city, delivered successive public speeches while reactions against him accumulated.
As a reminder, Sandra Paire, an opposition elected official and candidate for the 2026 municipal elections, reacted with surprise and caution to the support of some LR executives for the young man’s candidacy. She affirmed her determination to maintain her candidacy “at all costs” against the incumbent mayor, Yves Juhel. She expressed concern that the local right-wing was straying from its coherence by embracing a figure of “electoral tourism.” From Éric Ciotti’s perspective, the implication in Menton’s politics has been strongly criticized. He denounces a political parachuting and an electoral danger that could cause fractures within the right.
On the left, reactions are predictably not in favor of the former President’s son. The PCF06 declared that he “knows nothing about the city of Menton, nothing about its realities.” His intention, program, and particularly his parachuting are questioned, suggesting it will not allow for genuine involvement in local life.
Renaud Muselier Calls for Unity
The president of the Sud region recently spoke about the 28-year-old’s candidacy. Contrary to previous reactions, to avoid the division of the right and center in Menton, Renaud Muselier called on the two regional councilors Laurence Boetti-Forestier (MoDem) and Sandra Paire (LR) to engage in dialogue with Louis Sarkozy. It’s a call for unity, to “give a perspective to Menton.”
If no agreement is reached by the end of October, Renaud Muselier assures that he will “take full responsibility” and will make a decision in this Menton political battle.
While the city has been rocked in recent years by tumultuous political and economic affairs, Renaud Muselier has not stepped back and has spoken out to prevent internal weakening and maximize electoral chances. It remains to be seen whether the two regional councilors will, as advised by the Sud region president, engage in dialogue with Louis Sarkozy by the end of October.
