A few months before the municipal election, the declared candidates are refining their proposals. Mobility, local finances, urban planning, transport, or fighting discrimination: each is trying to make their mark in a politically charged environment. This interim review provides an overview of the positions defended by five active candidates.
Éric Ciotti: a free zone for Nice employees working in Monaco
Éric Ciotti puts the issue of travel between Nice and Monaco at the center of his campaign. The deputy of the 1st constituency of Alpes-Maritimes recalls that “40,000 Maralpins, including about 25,000 people from Nice, work in Monaco.” This flow generates daily congestion. He therefore intends to propose a business zone for Monegasque companies, “in the Var plain or elsewhere.” He admits that “we are at the idea stage,” but advances a plan presented in his letter to voters.
The goal would be to create a free zone. It would house companies currently located in the Principality. These businesses could enjoy conditions similar to those in Monaco. The deputy believes that this measure would bring jobs closer to Nice residents. He refers to a previous project studied when he presided over the departmental council. At the time, the teams had considered “creating a business zone on the site of the Cruella quarry in La Turbie with a funicular to link it to Monaco.”
The Var plain remains, according to him, a possible location. He considers the eco-Valley as “a failure.” He presents the following argument: “in 2005, the creation of 30,000 net jobs was announced there, but there have been none.” The free zone project would require an agreement between France and Monaco. Eric Ciotti specifies: “a treaty between France and Monaco would need to be approved by a law. It is probably not simple. But no more complicated in reality than digging a tunnel between Nice and the Principality…”
The deputy also discusses the potential interest of Monaco. The prince would find the idea “seductive.” Eric Ciotti believes that France could gain “job creation and wealth.” The proposal remains an option among others. He does not rule out the possibility of a metro but considers this project costly and very distant. He also does not close the door on a maritime shuttle, although it is “complicated.”
Nathalie Dloussky: budgetary rigor and citizen participation
Nathalie Dloussky situates herself within the context of a tense national environment regarding the state budget. The candidate of Ensemble pour la Grandeur de la France focuses her speech on local management following the Municipal Council. She analyzes the budgetary orientations presented by Christian Estrosi in December 2024: over 124 million euros for investment, including 37.6 million for ecological transition, 16.4 million for culture, 11.6 million for security, 12.1 million for youth and sports, and 10.8 million for social cohesion.
She raises the question of preparing the 2026 budget considering that the national political situation requires reviewing decision-making methods. The candidate criticizes the limits of current citizen consultations, describing them as a “fig leaf for autocratic decision-making methods.” Her proposal: to use a citizen-initiated referendum to involve the population more in decision-making.
The candidate advocates for rigor and transparency while recalling the city’s debt level, set at 548 million euros. She promotes the idea of systematic modification and revision clauses in public contracts. The objective would be to adapt spending to the economic situation and limit overruns. She believes that this method would maintain projects while ensuring responsible management.
According to Nathalie Dloussky, Nice reflects national tensions. She believes that demanding, open, and accountable local governance can meet the expectations of voters who express distrust towards the political life. Her list presents itself as a bearer of a project combining territorial ambition and financial discipline.
Hélène Granouillac: Barla Street at the center of urban issues
The Vivre Nice candidate, Hélène Granouillac, focuses on the requalification of Barla Street. A topic that was not discussed during the Municipal Council yesterday due to timing issues. She recalls its historical significance in Nice. She highlights a busy axis, a former segment of National Route 7, described as a dense, noisy, polluted street while also emphasizing its strategic position, between the port, Boulevard Carabacel, and the exit of the André-Malraux tunnel.
At the same time, she juxtaposes it with the extension of the Promenade du Paillon. The city pursues health and environmental objectives. It aims to reduce the perceived temperature by 10 degrees during heatwaves, cut cardiovascular diseases by 20%, and decrease CO₂ emissions. However, Hélène Granouillac notes that this new segment remains surrounded by sources of disturbances. She fears that this space presented as an “urban forest” might be weakened.
To prevent this, the Vivre Nice list candidate calls for the installation of air quality sensors and wishes to complement the existing devices on Arson Street and at the port. She also wants to engage in a profound transformation of Barla Street, considering its requalification as essential for improving quality of life, reducing tensions among users, and making the space more consistent with the city’s climate objectives.
The candidate finally demands an extended public consultation. She emphasizes the need to involve residents and merchants to define a shared project.
Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux: criticisms of management and concerns about the tramway
Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux, the ecologist candidate from the Unis pour Nice list, anchors her campaign in a critical analysis of municipal management. One of her supporters, Jean-Christophe Picard, states: “if the management was good, we would not have needed to increase taxes.”
The project of the tramway line 5 occupies a significant place in the debate. This line is supposed to connect Ariane to La Trinité and Drap. Its schedule foresees a four-year delay. The public inquiry is ongoing. The candidate organized a pamphlet distribution in the Ariane district.
Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux approves of the principle of this new tramway line while dishing a small jab at the city’s mayor: “it’s a fantastic PR operation for Christian Estrosi, four months before the elections, to finally show that this long-awaited project may be realized.” The Unis pour Nice candidate regrets a delivery announced for 2030. She recalls that it was supposed to be in 2026. Some members of her list even doubt the feasibility of the construction due to its cost, estimated at 376 million euros.
Julien Picot adds: “what we refuse is yet another campaign promise. The residents of this neighborhood are not second-class citizens. For us, what is needed today is to implement things concretely. So, tramway to Ariane is vital.”
The investigation file receives about fifteen opinions. Several residents want an expanded route, beyond the Ariane boulevard.
Mireille Damiano: a program focused on fighting racism and discrimination
Mireille Damiano leads the Nice Front Populaire list. She focuses her campaign on fighting against racism and discrimination by referring to the condemnation of three national police officers for racial insults and psychological violence on November 10, 2025. She sees it as an example of a deep-rooted problem. She describes practices of racial profiling, barriers to housing, employment, healthcare, and public services. Mireille Damiano emphasizes that racialized people suffer more from poverty, unemployment, housing difficulties, and food insecurity.
The candidate wants a program “radically anti-racist and inclusive.” and proposes the creation of a reception center with legal aid services. This space would assist victims. She wants the current mayor to join victims as a civil party for every racist or discriminatory act committed in the area.
She highlights that actions must be concrete and considers that the fight against racism must be institutionalized to be effective.
The list launched an online questionnaire to build its platform. Mireille Damiano explains: “we are in the process of launching our Nice Front Populaire list, building a program that reflects what the people of Nice want on a number of themes. So the idea was to gather opinions and prioritize them.”
Olivier Salerno emphasizes the participatory approach. He says: “we like to tell people that we don’t have a completely finalized program yet. We have an online questionnaire as well. And we don’t hesitate to tell people that if they think our measures are good, to let us know via the questionnaire because it makes us happy and encourages us in our work. But if they also think we’re off-track, they should tell us that too. It will never conform to anything other than people’s needs for a municipal election list.”
The contributions will be analyzed and compiled to guide final decisions.
