The vote for the President and Vice-Presidents of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis took place this Friday, July 19, 2024. Unsurprisingly, Christian Estrosi was re-elected as president against Christophe Trojani.
The vote took place at the Centre Universitaire Méditerranéen on July 19, 2024. Nine days after his resignation, Christian Estrosi was re-elected president of the Metropolis with 93 votes against Christophe Trojani’s 21 votes. It should also be noted that the vote included six blank votes. This metropolitan council also elected the twenty new vice-presidents.
Same President = No to Change?
The senior member of the council, Roger Maria, also mayor of Clans, presided over the assembly during the election of the new president. With the majority of the council members present, the quorum was reached, enabling the election to proceed. However, Mr. Trojani wished to speak before the vote. He was refused. “This is not campaign time, but voting time,” reminded Roger Maria. The first tensions arose as Philippe Vardon stood up and attempted to speak to the senior member. The results were decisive, with 21 votes for Christophe Trojani, 6 blank votes, and 93 votes for Christian Estrosi.
After paying tribute to the seven victims of the July 18 fire, Christian Estrosi continued his speech on his re-election: “The results of this morning’s vote are clear […] By voting overwhelmingly for my candidacy at 81%, you have clearly expressed your will. Neither Le Penist nor Mélenchonist in this executive.” He also highlighted some of the Metropolis’ accomplishments since its creation twelve years ago and emphasized its close ties with the hinterland. Of course, he did not forget the economic challenges like the €476 million investment in 2024 for the Metropolis. Despite some opposition, he insisted that “you don’t manage the Metropolis like a savings account.”
The ecological challenges are also to be anticipated to keep the Metropolis livable and welcoming. A modeling plan will be implemented: “with scientists, hydrologists, geographers, to help us anticipate, especially in certain highland areas.” Therefore, fighting as much as possible against natural disaster phenomena is a priority. Lastly, security is an important part of this program. Notably, the fight against trafficking, with two hundred expulsions carried out over the past three years.
The Hemicycle: A Political Battleground
Following this speech, numerous officials wished to respond, both against Christian Estrosi and among themselves. Philippe Vardon, elected from the Reconquête! party, was the first to say something. His opening statement set the tone: “Mr. President, freshly and surprisingly re-elected.” Where Christian Estrosi announced solidarity and fairness as principles under his presidency, Mr. Vardon demanded balance and equity. In the distribution of financial aid, but especially in governance: “That is why we had proposed, albeit daringly, a rotating presidency of the Metropolis – by the logic of 6 years / 6 presidents, to regain the original spirit of the Metropolis. We are today further away from that than ever. And I fear that by the end of this morning, we will be even further away…” explained the Reconquête! elected official. He later announced he would not participate in the vote for vice-presidents.
Xavier Beck explained that choosing to ally with the far-right does not automatically make you a fascist. He notably cites the example of a council member present in the room, Gaël Nofri, who was part of the National Front not long ago. He even attacks Christian Estrosi: “When in 1998 during the regional elections you attempted an agreement with the National Front […] were you a fascist? I do not believe you were then, and you are not anymore today.” Gaël Nofri responded a little later, saying he has never hidden his political origins and believed he made a good choice at that time: “This is why I can say today to all who make that choice that they are wrong and they will regret it.” Christian Estrosi, for his part, invited everyone present to watch a video sent by his teams to set the record straight once and for all.
Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux, president of the ecological elected officials, spoke of the pact of shame. She also praised the courage of some right-wing deputies, like Philippe Pradal, for withdrawing their candidacies during the legislative elections to counter the far-right. “The resignation of the executive branch of the metropolitan council will allow, or may have allowed, the positions of some of its members to be clarified,” she explained. It is also a duty of transparency towards citizens, according to the ecological elected official, to admit having supported the far-right.
Finally, Christophe Trojani explained that the purpose of his candidacy is for the spirit of unity. He even mentioned referring exclusively to the charter of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis. A little later, Pascale Guit-Nicol declared that it’s a “Soviet and fascist method to have signed this charter.” Naturally, these words would not sit well with the President of the Metropolis.
Little Change for the Vice-Presidents
When the election of the vice-presidents was announced, Christian Estrosi proposed the maximum number, which is twenty. Only two officials abstained from voting. Out of 133 officials eligible to vote, the candidate receiving the most recognition was the third vice-president, Isabelle Bres, with 113 votes. Only four positions faced opposition: the fourth, twelfth, seventeenth, and nineteenth. However, the opponents were quickly overshadowed, losing 21, 21, 21, and 25 votes to 91, 93, 98, and 90 votes, respectively.
The vice-presidents are as follows:
- Louis Nègre
- Joseph Ségura
- Isabelle Bres
- Anthony Borré
- Phillipe Pradal
- Colette Fabron
- Jean-Jacques Carlin
- Anne Ramos-Mazzucco
- Richard Chemla
- Hervé Paul
- Bruno Bettati
- Pierre-Paul Léonelli
- Roger Roux
- Antoine Véran
- Régis Lebigre
- Agnès Rampal
- Xavier Latour
- Ladislas Polski
- Pascal Condomitti
- Gaël Nofri
