The result of the first round did not bring any surprises; it even confirmed the previous day’s forecasts.
Beyond the exceptionally high abstention rate, Christian Estrosi’s superiority over his competitors was evident. The incumbent mayor narrowly missed being elected in the first round.
The other lists, for one reason or another, were crushed by what can be called, with admiration or contempt, the “Estrosi system.”
Moreover, beyond projects and other programs, it was enough to attend the different meetings and public initiatives to understand that the competitors were not in the same league: on one side, a well-oiled organization; on the other, there was amateurism, sometimes endearing, but what an approximation!
Among the lists that will not be represented in the next municipal council, the most visible and serious failure is that of the left, swept away without appeal.
But how can one succeed in an unfavorable context if they present an option that is neither united nor renewed?
Xavier Garcia (PS Secretary): In the fall, I said that in Nice, without unity, the left forces would fight to see who would get 6% and who would get 8%. Here we are. It’s a collective disaster.
Xavier Garcia may be right in his analysis, but how do you proceed when the real competition is internal to the left, or even better, among the lefts?
Just read the statement from the VIVA! list: The score of our list, after only a few months of existence, is an encouragement. Today, “Viva! democracy, ecology, solidarity” is the leading left-wing political force in Nice.”
Finally, among those who were left on the platform after the first round is the Kandel2020 list. The gamble by Christian Estrosi’s former first deputy to win over votes from the right-wing electorate, which he claims was betrayed by the outgoing mayor’s “Macronian” shifts, did not succeed. Nor did the supposed indirect support from Eric Ciotti, at least not as he expected. Despite this, Benoît Kandel finds positive elements in this futile race: “I prevented Christian Estrosi from being elected in the first round and achieved over 5% of the votes.” It can be commented that this is a result… at the very least!
The two other lists that will be present in the second round and will represent the opposition during the next mandate have the same appreciation of the result, although lower than the forecasts and certainly than their expectations.
Both leading candidates prefer to see a glass half full rather than half empty.
Philippe Vardon (RN): Despite the abstention, we have proven the polls wrong and achieved a better score than in 2014. The people of Nice clearly designate us as the only opposition force to Christian Estrosi.
Nice Ecologique: Thank you to everyone who mobilized while respecting health regulations! We thank you for your trust and remain mobilized for the second round.
In fact, why deny them the pleasure of being happy?
