Tense Rivalry Marks 2026 Nice Municipal Elections: Estrosi vs. Ciotti

The 2026 municipal elections in Nice are set to spotlight a fiercely contested mayoral race between incumbent Christian Estrosi and challenger Éric Ciotti. Once friends for over 30 years, their relationship has deteriorated amid competing ambitions for the city's leadership. On December 12, during a public event at the Magnan barracks, both appeared with a formal distance, engaging separately with firefighters and local entrepreneurs, underscoring the political tension between them. Estrosi, representing the Horizons party, retains support from Les Républicains (LR) and his ex-wife, Senator Dominique Estrosi-Sassone, who is leading his electoral list with other LR members. Meanwhile, Ciotti is aligned with the Union des droites pour la République (UDR) and allied with the National Rally (RN), broadening his political base.

The tension extends beyond Nice, as LR's national investment commission navigates delicate negotiations affecting endorsements in surrounding areas. Notably, Horizons supports Louis Sarkozy, son of the former president, in neighboring Menton, along with other local incumbents.

These developments reflect a fraught but strategically significant contest within the center-right political sphere in southern France, with both candidates actively courting local entrepreneurs and voters despite the palpable rivalry. The complex interplay of party loyalties and personal history adds a layer of intrigue to this municipal election, making the outcome in Nice one of keen interest in the national political landscape.