Through a long statement on his Facebook account (see below), Eric Ciotti announced his decision not to run for mayor of Nice.
It was anticipated after the election of Christian Jacob as the president of Les Républicains: how could one imagine rebuilding a party in serious trouble by allowing a fratricidal struggle in France’s 5th largest city?
The publication of a poll that placed the outgoing mayor, Christian Estrosi, in the lead in the first round (39% of voting intentions for him, 2% for Eric Ciotti) and elected in all scenarios, was the warning shot for a fledgling candidacy destined for a severe failure.
Yet one cannot say that the Nice deputy hadn’t worked hard for over two years to bolster his candidacy by canvassing the area (conferences, inaugurations, visits to associations, etc.), taking the departmental presidency of the party, and criticizing his rival on all fronts.
Unfortunately for him, meanwhile at the national level, his image was tarnished by his “blind” support (remember Trocadero) for François Fillon in the 2017 presidential election, which turned out to be a fiasco, his alliance with Laurent Wauquiez, initially in support of the yellow vests (remember the picture with a group of these insurgents? for a man advocating for authority…), and finally during the disastrous European election campaign that highlighted his inclination for radicalization of positions and cast doubt on his ability to make the right choices in political lines (far-right) and people (top of the list François-Xavier Bellamy).
Then, he missed the knockout punch: having tried – in one way or another – to create conditions to oust Christian Estrosi from LR – accused of being the fifth column of “macronism” – and failing to do so, he had to face the boomerang effect of a failed attack: the rubber wall of the mayor of Nice was more resistant than the firepower of his attacker!
In short, this withdrawal is the conclusion imposed by the facts: it was better to withdraw in good order, turn the page, and wait for a better opportunity to assert his ambitions.
The moral? Didn’t Sir Niccolò Machiavelli have it right when he wrote: “Men make this mistake: not knowing how to set limits to their expectations, relying on them without measuring them, they ruin themselves.”*
Dear residents of Nice,
It is with emotion that I address you a few months before the municipal elections to share my decision. I know it is awaited.
For several years, and particularly since 2017, a debate has emerged between Christian Estrosi and me, a fundamental debate in the noble sense of the term. A political debate but also a debate on our respective and sometimes divergent visions of the management and future of Nice.
In all circumstances, I have spoken frankly and sincerely, to preserve and enhance our city.
Through these clearly stated divergences on important topics, such as taxation, commercial urban planning, and security, my candidacy for the Nice municipal elections naturally arose.
In this scenario, several opinion polls since March have established a match, with an uncertain outcome, between Christian Estrosi and me, leaving all other potential candidates far behind.
Today, I have decided to address the question of my candidacy with complete honesty, relying on the markers that have always guided my political commitment.
The first marker is my unwavering desire to serve Nice. Nice that has given me so much. Nice to which I want to give back a hundredfold what it has brought me. Nice that saw my birth, whose roots, colors, scents, light, festivals, and popular traditions I love.
The second marker is my loyalty to the voters who entrusted me with this magnificent mandate as a deputy twelve years ago. I exercise this mandate in Nice with humility and proximity because I have always ensured to remain, first and foremost, a Niçois among the Niçois.
I perform this mandate assiduously with dignity and responsibility in the National Assembly. As a deputy, I have led significant battles and achieved substantial results against school absenteeism, for the installation of the tricolor flag in schools, for security, against mass immigration…
I particularly focus my energy on combating Islamist terrorism and political Islam, which threaten our civilization. I have also strived to defend our culture, our identity, our civilization.
I was recently unanimously elected as the president of the parliamentary inquiry commission on the Islamist attack at the Paris Police Prefecture. I understand the weight of this mission.
In this very particular context, the duty to continue my parliamentary work and respect the moral contract agreed upon three times with the Niçois since 2007 is a key factor in my decision.
The third marker is my commitment to the values and ideas I defend and that the Niçois have supported by entrusting me with their trust in Nice’s 1st constituency. I believe in the individual’s freedom against the bureaucracy that suffocates and the taxes that asphyxiate.
I believe in the authority of the Republic, which protects the weak from the strong. I believe in work and merit, which allow everyone to build a better future.
I believe in the strength of our millennia-long history, far from repentance and perpetual stigmatization. I deeply love my country, and I want France to remain France.
Finally, the fourth marker is loyalty to my political family. I am a man of the right, and I claim it. Les Républicains have just elected a new president, Christian Jacob. I trust him and want to help him in his mission to rebuild our movement.
When the Republican Right is going through a difficult period, I want to send a message of unity and cohesion. As a militant or elected official, I have too often witnessed the deadly poison of division and family wars that have done so much harm to our movement, not to favor this essential cohesion.
It is in this spirit that I discussed the political situation in Nice with President Nicolas Sarkozy; then, I met Christian Estrosi with Christian Jacob and the president of the Association of Mayors of France, my friend François Baroin.
I have taken note of Christian Estrosi’s renewed commitment within our political family.
But beyond these markers, my decision is based primarily on your appreciation and your will.
I know that some of you wish for this debate to be settled by the voters. But I also know that others, perhaps more numerous, aspire to calm.
I also note that the debates I have initiated, far from being sterile, have helped to move things forward in our city:
- The overly heavy taxation in 2017 will return almost to its initial level in Nice by the end of 2020, even though, unfortunately, it will be far from the case for other municipalities in the Metropolis.
- The uncontrolled commercial urban planning, which seems incompatible with the survival of our city-center small businesses, has seen its expansion recede.
- The development of the Plaine du Var should see a more environmental orientation.
I like to think that with all those who have shared these battles with me, we are not strangers to these results. I also note that many Niçois appreciate the achievements of the Mayor of Nice. The time for choice has now come. I have heard you.
As a free and responsible man, I have decided not to run in the Nice municipal elections.
I understand the disappointment of some who support me with strength, energy, and loyalty. I acknowledge the satisfaction or relief of others torn by a fratricidal fight. To all, I reaffirm my commitment. Making peace undoubtedly requires more courage than waging war.
I refuse the risk of conflict and division that my candidacy would pose to our city. I make this choice to not threaten the essential Niçois concord.
I now want to consolidate the work I have undertaken for twelve years to advance our city and continue my mission in the service of Nice and the Alpes-Maritimes. As of now, I commit to fighting for our ideas so that our majority remains strong in the Alpes-Maritimes Department alongside President Charles Ange Ginésy.
With the team that has been with us for nearly ten years, we have managed the money of the Azuréens well. This has allowed us to lower taxes, debt, public spending, and increase the purchasing power of the Azuréens.
We will continue and even amplify this policy.
I want to continue serving Nice and the Alpes-Maritimes; I want to continue serving you. And I say to all my friends, militants, elected officials, and all those who share my ideas that more than ever, I will be by their side to defend them.
