A few weeks before the first round, the lists are multiplying announcements, meetings and position statements. Security, housing, sports, local democracy and legal controversies are structuring the debate. Overview of the candidates, in the order of the lists.
Cédric Vella (Reconquête)
Very discreet since the start of the campaign, Cédric Vella confirmed the filing of a Reconquête list at the prefecture. On the BFM Nice set, Cédric Vella stated: “I’m just a business owner and father of a family, so it takes a lot of my time. I don’t live off politics, so we started the campaign quite some time ago. I remind you that it was Sarah Knafo who invested in me last March. So here we are. The list, I’m announcing to you, I have an appointment at the prefecture at the end of the week, so it will indeed be filed. There will be a candidacy, mine, and therefore a Reconquête list.”
A poll credits the list with 4% of voting intentions. Cédric Vella reacted: “What I notice is that Éric Ciotti is at 41%, me at 4, so there’s always of course a margin of error. Personally, I think I’m being underestimated a bit compared to reality. But what is clear is that Nice residents want to turn the page. The national camp alone represents 45% of the votes in the first round. I’m not sure we realize that. So it’s proof that we want to turn the page on Estrosi and that Nice residents are ready for that. See you on March 15.”
On positioning with the RN, Cédric Vella stated: “yes, it’s the camp of France, indeed. Yes, the national camp.”
Among the proposals: two hours of free parking per day, three hours on Saturday, reinforcement of the municipal police and an end to all social housing construction. Cédric Vella stated: “social housing, it’s a change of population that occurs in certain neighborhoods. I’m not saying that for the sake of it, it’s a reality. I will not build any more social housing in Nice.“
Christian Estrosi (All for Nice)
Christian Estrosi continued presenting the main lines of his municipal project. The speech focused on the financial balance sheet, security, housing, culture and climate transition. Christian Estrosi claimed “independence” for Nice and accused “an opponent” of having “betrayed” his political camp, believing that “he will betray Nice as he has betrayed his own.” Christian Estrosi called for “not mixing national politics and municipal project.”
According to him, municipal and metropolitan heritage would have nearly doubled in recent years, rising from 4.6 to 7.8 billion euros. An objective of 40 million euros in additional savings is announced. Christian Estrosi stated: “every additional point of growth will be a point of tax returned to Nice residents.”
The creation of lines T4 and T5 was also confirmed. An objective of 10,000 planned housing units is maintained. A reduction of 50% of tourist rentals in certain neighborhoods is announced. “I want chosen tourism, not imposed tourism,” Christian Estrosi declared.
On security, the increase from 6,800 to 10,000 cameras is announced. Municipal police staff would increase from 680 to 1,000 officers. An application called “Vigilis” is planned.
Regarding Pierre Ippolito, the campaign team through Marc Concas clarifies: “the court simply recalled a standing rule: the prefect only controls the formal regularity of lists.” Another statement indicates: “yes, he can be a candidate. But if elected, his eligibility will be examined and his manifest ineligibility will be pronounced.”
At the National Museum of Sport, at the Allianz Riviera, Christian Estrosi presented ten measures for sports. A 3,000-seat Sports Palace in Auvare and a 12,500-seat rugby stadium in Arboras are announced. A 1,000 m² Sport-Health Center is planned. The doubling of “sports vouchers” is also announced.
Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux (United for Nice)
The United for Nice list held a meeting at the Anantara Plaza hotel. One of the leaders of the left, Marine Tondelier, described Éric Ciotti as “an enemy within […]People who want to weaken France and destroy Europe call for voting RN, Ciotti’s friends (editor’s note: allied with the RN since 2024). They are the fifth column, the internal enemies of France and Europe.” Marine Tondelier also stated: “these years of Macron government, supported by Estrosi, are leading the country in a very bad direction.”
Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux recalled the six program pillars: purchasing power, housing, security, transport, schools and environment. Regarding transport, she added: “line 5 has been expected for 25 years.” Extension to Ariane and Vallée du Paillon is defended. Rent controls are proposed. “Every Nice resident must be able to live with dignity, travel, and find housing without suffering the effects of over-tourism and real estate speculation.”
Julien Picot, No. 2 on the list, declared: “at a time when the municipal campaign is entering a decisive phase, I call on the responsibility of all those who identify with the values of the left, ecology and social progress.” Then: “Every vote will count from the first round.”
The list affirms: “we will not withdraw in the second round.”
Nathalie Dloussky (Together for the Greatness of France)
Nathalie Dloussky presents a program titled Nice 2060. Two measures concern students. First, 200 free rooms in five nursing homes in exchange for 20 hours of activities per month. Announced cost: 15 million euros per year. Second, parking at 1 euro per day and transport passes at 180 euros per year. Estimated cost: 18 million euros.
On the Auvare barracks, a project of 200 intergenerational housing units is detailed. 80 studios for young people, 80 one-bedroom apartments for seniors, 40 housing units for modest families. A 3,000 m² third-place is planned. A community restaurant and a 4,000 m² outdoor sports course complete the project.
A 50/50 joint management between the City and Residents is announced. Total financing is estimated at 42 million euros. Nathalie Dloussky mentions 280 jobs and launches an Auvare Citizens’ Initiative Referendum petition.
Eric Ciotti (The Best is Yet to Come)
Jean-Marc Governatori has joined Éric Ciotti’s list. The UDR candidate believes that Jean-Marc Governatori embodies “concrete, non-ideological ecology.”
After the opening of a preliminary investigation into mask purchases, Éric Ciotti denounced a situation of “unprecedented and exceptional gravity.” The deputy stated: “if these facts are confirmed, we would face a scandal of exceptional gravity. A financial scandal, a health scandal, a political scandal.”
Two requests are made: “a complaint filing with civil party status” and “total transparency.” Éric Ciotti concludes: “No one has the right to compromise without consequences the health of Nice residents. We will not let this happen.”
A Cluster 17 poll for Politico places Éric Ciotti in the lead. The administrative court has overturned the refusal to register the list. The list affirms that “Pierre Ippolito can fully be a candidate and appear on the list led by Éric Ciotti.”
Hélène Granouillac (Living Nice)
At Rauba Capeu, Hélène Granouillac presented a marine sanctuary project for the orcas and dolphins of Marineland. Hélène Granouillac believes that ministerial decisions constitute “a non-event” and that “all the choices that have been made are not going in the right direction.”
A submarine corridor of 400 to 500 meters is proposed toward a sanctuary located between 800 meters and one kilometer offshore. The animals would remain under scientific and veterinary supervision. The cost is estimated at several million euros.
A conversion toward a marine clinic and educational space is envisioned. “No commercial or mercenary purpose” is announced. European funds and sponsors are mentioned for the implementation of this project.
Mireille Damiano (Nice Popular Front)
In Saint-Roch, the Nice Popular Front list held a meeting in the presence of Manon Aubry. Mireille Damiano defended a break with current management and targeted Christian Estrosi and Éric Ciotti.
Manon Aubry stated: “we must never instrumentalize a human tragedy for partisan purposes. Justice must do its work.”
On left-wing unity, Mireille Damiano affirmed: “from the beginning, we proposed an alliance and this promise, we will keep it.” The candidate clarifies: “there will be no withdrawal in the second round, whatever happens.”
Céline Forjonnel (Nice Direct Democracy)
The Nice Direct Democracy list is finalizing its list of 69 running mates. As a reminder, the candidacy filing deadline is set for February 26, 2026. Sylvie Bonaldi states: “the only difficulty at this stage is that even if we are motivated, the
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