According to an exclusive poll conducted by Elabe-Berger Levrault for Le Figaro, BFMTV, and Nice-Matin, Éric Ciotti appears set to reclaim the mayor's office in Nice from his former mentor Christian Estrosi. The poll shows that Ciotti's candidacy is favored with 41% in the first round of voting, significantly ahead of Estrosi's Horizons party, which is at 30%. This election is particularly significant as it will take place in just two weeks, with the first round scheduled for March 15 and the second round for March 22.

The political landscape in Nice is heating up as the major debate approaches on Monday night, expected to be aired on BFMTV and Le Figaro TV. Ciotti, who represents the UDR-RN party, aims to leverage the momentum from this early polling and debate exposure to solidify his position against Estrosi. The results suggest a potential shift in voter sentiment and may indicate broader trends in local governance, reflecting the growing influence of far-right factions in French local politics.

As the campaign progresses, with two left-leaning candidates such as ecologist Juliette Chesnel-Le Roy presenting competition, the dynamics could change. However, the current lead suggests that Ciotti's message is resonating with the electorate in Nice, setting the stage for a dramatic election that could reshape the city's future governance and its political landscape, especially with the intense rivalry between Ciotti and Estrosi being a focal point of the elections.