Overview
- Eric Ciotti, already the mayor of Nice, won the metropolitan presidency Thursday as the only candidate with 108 votes from 115 councillors.
- He secured his majority through 49 councillors from his Nice list, eight votes from RN ally Bryan Masson in Cagnes-sur-Mer, and long-standing ties with many small-town mayors.
- He has signaled a shift in transport policy by moving to drop the planned tram between Nice and Cagnes-sur-Mer in favor of faster, cheaper bus rapid transit lines.
- He pledged tighter control of public spending, including an independent audit of the métropole’s accounts and a one-third cut to elected officials’ allowances.
- Some former Estrosi allies said they are ready to work with the new leadership, while left-wing councillors warned about the role of RN mayor Bryan Masson, who has been criticized for limiting opposition speaking time in Cagnes-sur-Mer.