In Nice, a little over 1,000 people participated in the national mobilization against the government’s austerity policies. The procession marched through the city center before splitting into two. Some of the protesters continued their action in front of the town hall to protest against the “Sarkozy forecourt” project.
The strike on October 2 gathered a little over 1,000 people in the streets of Nice, according to the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture. This figure marks a decline compared to September 18. On that day, between 2,300 people according to the prefecture and 10,000 according to the organizers took part.
The message remains unchanged. The unions reject the austerity policies and demand more resources for public services. Numerous organizations were involved: CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, UNSA, and FSU. They all had set a meeting at the Nice-Ville train station in the late morning.
The procession started around 10:45 am, flanked by law enforcement. After a few speeches, the demonstrators moved towards Place Masséna. They passed through Avenue Jean-Médecin and in front of the Iconic shopping center. The march occurred without incident. The placards displayed slogans opposing the government. Chants and music accompanied the march, sometimes adapted to well-known tunes.
The mobilization brought together diverse profiles: teachers, healthcare workers, civil servants, retail employees, retirees, and students. All of them denounce a lack of responses to their concerns. The demands focus on purchasing power, salaries, pensions, and the quality of public services.
Youth at the Forefront
Youth were very visible in the procession. Many express a feeling of anxiety about their future. The cost of housing in Nice, difficulties in studying under good conditions, and the lack of prospects are often highlighted. For some, participating in the demonstration is a way to break the isolation and realize that others share the same concerns.
Their demands are not limited to student issues. Several themes intermingle: environmental protection, fighting inequalities, defending social rights. Some believe that fast-fashion, with the upcoming arrival of new brands like Shein, illustrates the lack of political response on ecological issues.
In the crowd, placards refer to the necessity to tax the wealthy or to rethink wealth distribution. The issue of social justice comes up regularly. Students and young workers also emphasize the need to address housing and the cost of living in Nice.
A Protest Expanding to Local Debate
At the end of the demonstration, around 300 people continued the movement in front of the town hall. Their target: the “Sarkozy forecourt” project led by Mayor Christian Estrosi. He wishes to name the area in front of the future major police hotel, scheduled for 2026, after the former president of the Republic, sentenced to five years in prison.
This announcement sparked a strong reaction. Civilian collectives, including Viva!, oppose this decision. A petition is already circulating. In front of the town hall, opponents voiced their disagreement with pots and pans and slogans. Some wore masks resembling Nicolas Sarkozy.
The gathering took place calmly, without incident. But it reveals that the anger expressed in the streets is not limited to national issues. In Nice, local decisions such as the “Sarkozy forecourt” also fuel the mobilization.
The day of October 2 is part of a national movement. On a countrywide scale, the CGT mentions 600,000 demonstrators. The Nice demonstration did not mark a break but confirms a persisting discontent. For the unions, the challenge is to maintain pressure. For the participants, it is about making a diversity of voices heard, in a context where political responses seem to elude them.
