2026 Municipal Elections: Local Candidates Mobilize, Masson and Sarkozy Fuel Speculation

It's an understatement to say that the mayor's chair in the largest city in the region is coveted. Among locals, as well as those who come from further afield. "Parachuted," as they say in political jargon.

A profile which has not always been a handicap in Menton since, let us remember, Jean-Claude Guibal had no local involvement before his election in 1989 (until his death in 2021 ).

Although appointed deputy for urban planning in 2014, Yves Juhel had also inherited this label before his election as mayor in 2021, due to his previous municipal mandates in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés (between 1989 and 1994) and Champigny-sur-Marne (from 1994 to 2008).

The outgoing mayor, mired in legal affairs , has not yet expressed himself on his political future.

Officially, two candidates have expressed their desire to win the mayoral seat of Menton: Sandra Paire , the former first deputy of Jean-Claude Guibal and currently an opposition municipal councilor since her defeat against Yves Juhel in 2021.

The regional councillor launched her "New Momentum for Menton" movement and has been meeting with residents since the early announcement of her candidacy in January 2025. Under sentence of two years of ineligibility in the first instance , she will have to wait for the verdict of the court of appeal to know her electoral fate.

Opposite her, we find Florent Champion , elected by the majority (who has distanced himself from the mayor but who has nevertheless retained his delegations).

The young thirty-year-old is supported by Patrice Novelli , first deputy and president of the Menton Republican Rally, and some of the elected members of the majority.

Sarkozy and Masson in ambush

Two other faces appear to be emerging on the horizon in March 2026. While neither has yet officially announced their candidacy, Alexandra Masson and Louis Sarkozy could well run for mayor of Menton.

The first, a National Rally MP, has worked to create a strong local presence over the past few years.

Often critical of current municipal management, Alexandra Masson has naturally been at the heart of the rumor of a potential candidacy , fueled among other things by a high score achieved in Menton during the last legislative elections.

"I'm not a candidate anywhere, but I can't say I'm not interested in regional politics, particularly in Menton, which is about to fall into the hands of the National Rally." It was with these words last April that Louis Sarkozy turned a number of media and political spotlights on Menton.

A successful trial balloon for the son of the former President of the Republic who has since shown increasing interest in the town hall .

Moving to Menton, agreements and discussions with local elected officials with a view to drawing up a list, meetings with the mayors of the area... Recently, the creation of a "campaign financing association" has reinforced the rumor.

For his part, the 28-year-old is covering his tracks.

In addition to the absence of an official declaration of candidacy to date, Louis Sarkozy took his first steps as a columnist on RMC , in the show of journalist Apolline de Malherbe.

An editorial lasting a few minutes that will require a Parisian presence two days a week, in addition to his commitments to LCI and Valeurs actuelles . In Menton, many are questioning the young man's "availability" to take on a role as a local elected official.

One thing is certain: none of the aforementioned protagonists intend to give him free rein. Nor does the French Communist Party (PCF) , which very recently condemned Louis Sarkozy's presence in Saint-Raphaël over the memorial memorial to the victims of "communist totalitarianism."

The local federation confirmed that the PCF will be "on the front line against Louis Sarkozy and Alexandra Masson" in Menton.

Eric Zemmour's Reconquest party also indicated that a lead candidate will be unveiled in Menton at the beginning of September.