The new municipal council of Nice was inaugurated on Friday morning in an atmosphere that was both festive and contrasting. Amid noticeable absences, political reshuffling, and significant renewal, sixty-nine elected officials are beginning a mandate set to last until 2032. The majority, led by Éric Ciotti, enjoys a broad base, facing a fragmented opposition.
The ceremony was supposed to symbolize a transition. Traditionally, the outgoing mayor, Christian Estrosi, must hand over the mayoral sash to the new leader, Éric Ciotti. The protocol was not followed. When Christian Estrosi’s name was called, no elected official responded. The senior member noted: “Absent!” accompanied by much laughter audible in the room.
The new political balance was established yesterday in a packed room. Éric Ciotti’s arrival, from the square adjacent to the town hall, drew attention. As did the vote that followed. Out of 56 voters, one blank and three null ballots were recorded, revealing the composition of the new municipal council of Nice.
A broad and renewed majority
The UDR-RN list led by Éric Ciotti, having obtained 48.54% of the votes in the second round, brings together 52 elected officials on the municipal council. Opposite, Christian Estrosi’s Horizons list has 13 elected officials. The left, united around Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux and her list Unis Pour Nice, secured four seats. The municipal council comprises 69 members with a majority overwhelmingly dominated by Éric Ciotti’s camp.
The renewal is significant. Seventy-eight percent of the elected are new. Forty-seven newcomers sit with the majority. The opposition also sees movement, with several new faces.
The new majority includes several former associates of Christian Estrosi. Benoît Kandel is one of them. Former first deputy from 2008 to 2013, Benoît Kandel now joins Éric Ciotti, whom he supported during his campaign.
Other profiles like Françoise Monier, Auguste Vérola, Catherine Moreau, Henry-Jean Servat and Bernard Asso are also part of this majority, with more or less different backgrounds.
The list also includes Jean-Marc Governatori, a former ecologist candidate, who announced his rallying in February 2026.
Another notable profile, Olivier Breuilly, former general director of city services. The majority also includes personalities from various backgrounds, such as Dario Lutchmayah, head of UDI in Nice and member of the political office of the party founded by Jean-Louis Borloo.
A divided opposition
The group linked to Christian Estrosi comprises thirteen elected officials, including the outgoing mayor who will not serve. This decision leads to the inclusion of Marie-Christine Mouchan. Four new figures appear in this group, including Carine Dalmasso and Pierre-Marie Tardieux. Of course, Christian Estrosi’s loyal deputies, Anthony Borré and Philippe Pradal, will be keen to preserve the outgoing mayor’s image in the assembly.
The case of Gaël Nofri draws attention. Elected in thirteenth position, he benefits from an electoral context marked by vote transfers to also serve.
On the left, four elected officials will sit. Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux is joined by Julien Picot, who marks the entry of the communists into the municipal council, Christine Mirauchaud, and Patrick Allemand, who makes his return to the municipal council after several years of absence.
The complete composition of the municipal council
Deputies and majority (Éric Ciotti)
- Françoise Souliman
1st deputy – Security, crime prevention, victim support, general administration, municipal heritage - Auguste Vérola
2nd deputy – Culture, civil status - Gaëlle Frontoni
3rd deputy – Education, youth - Pierre Ippolito
4th deputy – Enterprises, commerce, economic development, higher education - Marie-France Césari
5th deputy – Housing, urban planning - Laurent Merengone
6th deputy – Traffic, parking (Historic Nice territory) - Céline Alunni
7th deputy – Childhood, early childhood - Jean-Marc Governatori
8th deputy – Environment (Rives du Paillon territory) - Valérie Sergi
9th deputy – Urban policy, social issues, social cohesion - Olivier Breuilly
10th deputy – Finance - Françoise Monier
11th deputy – Human resources - Olivier Riquier
12th deputy – Proximity, civil safety, citizenship - Juliette Raffort-Lareyre
13th deputy – Health, digital transformation, artificial intelligence - Benoît Kandel
14th deputy – Sports - Catherine Moreau
15th deputy – Green spaces (Hauts de Nice territory) - Sébastien Filippini
16th deputy – Disability - Zara Boutayeb
17th deputy – Women’s rights - Patrick-Marc Le Donne
18th deputy – Legal affairs, public contracts, ethics, deontology - Valérie Bothy-Lanfranchi
19th deputy – Europe, international relations, Nice-Monaco relations - Cédric Cirasa
20th deputy – Roadways, cleanliness, sanitation (Heart of Nice territory) - Bérangère de Charnacé
21st deputy – Faiths, private education (Niçoises Hills territory) - Denis Del Rio
22nd deputy – Tourism, events - Nathalie Kestemont-Gasperi
23rd deputy – Nice West territory - Henry-Jean Servat
24th deputy – Animal welfare, cinema - Muriel Vitetti
25th deputy – Nice traditions - Dario Lutchmayah
26th deputy – Associative world, fight against discrimination, overseas, Francophonie
Councilors without delegation
- Laurent Castillo
- Patrick Baqué
- Bernard Chaix
Municipal councilors with sub-delegation
- Éric Mary – Litigation, pre-litigation, mediation
- Élise Cammas – Sports facilities, youth
- Alexandre Saradjian – Sports clubs
- Céline Bartoletti – School renovation
- Christophe Brémard – Liberal professions
- Elisabeth Parreins – Heritage litigation
- Jean-Marie Debaisieux– Commerce, crafts
- Marie-Automne Peyregne – Cultural heritage
- Bernard Asso – Energy, CUM
- Marina Petrossian – After-school care
- Auguste Costa – City medicine
- Sandra Deur – Nurseries
- Sauveur Assous – Victim support, memory, fight against racism and antisemitism
- Geneviève Pozzo di Borgo – New residents of Nice
- Hervé de Surville – Veteran Affairs, army-nation link
- Lalla Chama Ben Moulay – Humanitarian actions
- Djendel Yassen – UNESCO, heritage, archaeology, patronage
- Patricia Rosenthal – Seniors, solidarities
- Marinette Bastirmaci – Daily proximity
- Élise Dukmenoglou – Quality of life
- Simone Dibo-Cohen – Contemporary art, exhibitions
- Florence Antonio – Urban furniture, neighborhood animation
Opposition – “Tous pour Nice” group (Christian Estrosi)
Carine Dalmasso
Anthony Borré
Dominique Estrosi-Sassone
Philippe Pradal
Martine Ouaknine
Pierre-Marie Tardieux
Jennifer Salles
Pierre-Paul Leonelli
Magali Altounian
Eric Abhissira
Monique Bailet
Gaël Nofri
Marie-Christine Mouchan
Opposition – “Unis pour Nice” group (left)
Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux
Julien Picot
Christine Mirauchaud
Patrick Allemand.
