"No surprise," "dangerous and nauseating ideas," "experience and courage"... Reactions to Eric Ciotti's candidacy for mayor of Nice

At the town hall, it's radio silence. To comment on Éric Ciotti's candidacy statement would be to give it importance.

"Christian Estrosi has no intention of commenting on the far-right candidacy," the mayor's entourage simply whispers.

"The campaign is launched," says Ginésy

A sober reaction came from Charles Ange Ginésy, the LR president of the Alpes-Maritimes departmental council, an ally of Éric Ciotti. "His candidacy is obviously not a surprise. He is an elected official with extensive experience who has all the qualities required to be a good mayor. The election campaign is now underway to better inform voters," commented the head of the department.

"Betrayal of one's own party"

On the left, however, they are having a field day. "Eric Ciotti's announcement is no surprise to anyone: everyone knew he dreamed of running in Nice. His alliance with the far right and his betrayal of his own party had only one goal: to serve his personal and electoral ambition," the leaders of the united left-ecologists decipher in chorus.

For Juliette Chesnel Le Roux, Les Écologistes, Julien Picot, PCF 06 and Patrick Allemand, PS 06, Estrosi and Ciotti it's "six of one and half a dozen of the other. The two faces of the same opportunistic policy." And to rehash the CV of the UDR deputy of the port: "His name remains associated with extremely serious political, community and religious listings. Practices unworthy of the Republic, which speak volumes about his conception of politics," denounces the Nice green left. Allusion to the files the justice system is examining: "Politically, Éric Ciotti's ideas are nauseating and dangerous for democracy," asserts the left.

"I want to be caliph in place of the caliph"

Eric Ciotti as a candidate, for example, "doesn't ruffle feathers," says opposition Green Party member Jean-Christophe Picard. "His 20-page letter of candidacy can be summed up in one sentence: ' I want to be caliph in place of the caliph!' A supporter of Christian Estrosi in 2008, 2014, and 2020, he cannot claim to embody a real alternative," analyzes the former head of Anticor, the association fighting corruption in politics.

"A man of experience and courage"

To find more enthusiastic reactions, one has to look to the far right of the political spectrum. Jordan Bardella, the leader of the National Rally. " He knows his city perfectly, he loves its inhabitants: he is best placed to bring Nice the renewal it needs," the MEP rejoices.

Locally, Benoît Kandel, head of the Nice National Rally, offered his "warmest congratulations" to Éric Ciotti. He assured him of " the full and complete support of all the activists and executives of the Nice National Rally, who will work tirelessly to ensure the success of his campaign . " "Éric Ciotti, a man of experience and courage, embodies this hope," he concluded.