One week before the first round of Nice's municipal elections, the four main candidates clashed in a debate hosted by BFM-TV in partnership with Le Figaro. Christian Estrosi, Éric Ciotti, Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux, and Mireille Damiano discussed geopolitics, campaign scandals, security, and housing. The exchanges were tense, featuring mutual accusations and concrete proposals for the city.
The debate took place on March 7, 2026, at the Villa Masséna, near the Promenade des Anglais, after a postponement due to international tensions. Organized by BFM-TV with Le Figaro and Nice-Matin, it brought together Christian Estrosi (Horizons), the incumbent mayor, Éric Ciotti (UDR), Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux (union of Les Écologistes, PS, and PC), and Mireille Damiano (LFI).
The candidates first addressed geopolitics. Christian Estrosi stated that Nice was the only French city with a crisis cell alongside the Quai d'Orsay for nationals in Israel. All expressed thoughts for Iranians, with Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux criticizing the trampling of international law, while Mireille Damiano called for a strong condemnation from France. Éric Ciotti pledged to name a street after Mahsa Amini, a symbol of emancipation.
Discussions quickly turned to campaign scandals. Christian Estrosi called the arrest of two people after a pig's head was found at his home « a barbouzerie », suspecting infiltration. Éric Ciotti suggested a manipulation akin to the « attentat de l’observatoire » against François Mitterrand in 1959, referencing the mayor's « seventeen judicial affairs ». Mireille Damiano lamented a « spectacle that damages all politicians ».
On security, Christian Estrosi aims for 10,000 surveillance cameras, up from 6,500. Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux and Éric Ciotti favor more police on the streets, the latter highlighting a shortage of 250 national police and poor direction of forces. Mireille Damiano proposes an assessment without disarming the police.
Regarding housing, the left emphasizes rent controls and 14,000 Airbnb listings. Christian Estrosi promises 10,000 social, student, and affordable homes, but Mireille Damiano accuses him of being « out of law » on the SRU law. The candidates also discussed the free trade zone in the Var plain. A poignant moment saw Christian Estrosi address Éric Ciotti: « Listen Éric, we've spent 40 years together, professionally and familially, how can you say so much bad about where I felt I did so much good? » The two rivals shook hands.
In conclusion, the left-wing lists will maintain their candidacies in the second round. Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux views Estrosi and Ciotti as « the two sides of the same coin ». According to an Elabe-Berger Levrault poll for Le Figaro, BFMTV, and Nice-Matin, Éric Ciotti leads with 41%, followed by Christian Estrosi at 30%, Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux at 13%, and Mireille Damiano at 11%.
