Éric Ciotti Takes Control of Nice: Tax Cuts and Political Realignment Follow Victory
Éric Ciotti has officially assumed office as the mayor of Nice, launching his administration with aggressive fiscal cuts and a direct challenge to the national leadership of the right-wing Les Républicains (LR) party.
In a move aimed at providing immediate relief to residents, the modern mayor has announced a 20% reduction in the property tax rate, a measure that could save thousands of households up to 300 euros annually. Ciotti has further expanded these tax breaks to include reductions on residence taxes for second-home owners, framing the cuts as a “gift” to the city’s property owners.
The victory marks a significant political shift in Nice, following a brutal campaign that left the city’s right-wing establishment fractured. In the first round of the municipal elections, Ciotti held a commanding lead with 43% of the vote compared to 31% for incumbent mayor Christian Estrosi.
The tension peaked on March 18, 2026, when Bruno Retailleau, the leader of Les Républicains, refused to endorse Estrosi for the runoff. Speaking on BFMTV-RMC, Retailleau described the campaign as “absolutely deleterious,” specifically criticizing Estrosi’s strategy of appealing to left-wing voters and “communitarianism.” Even as Retailleau declined to support the incumbent, he simultaneously reiterated his condemnation of Ciotti’s decision to ally with the National Rally (RN) to form a “union of the rights.”
Now in power, Ciotti is moving quickly to implement his vision for the city. He has outlined a comprehensive roadmap focusing on municipal police expansion, financial restructuring, and improvements to the city’s tramway system.
The local victory is too being used as a lever for national political influence. Ciotti has publicly challenged Retailleau to join his movement, asserting that no one currently within the LR party is in a position to win the 2027 presidential election. The new mayor expressed confidence that the majority of elected officials who previously served on Estrosi’s list will eventually defect to his administration.
This shift in leadership underscores a growing volatility within the French right, as local victories for RN-allied candidates commence to pressure national party structures ahead of future electoral cycles.
