Éric Ciotti, the mayor of Nice, has reentered the political spotlight at an event in the commune of Grand Pré de Levens, located near the French Riviera. The gathering took place in a large park covering more than 13 hectares, with the Prealps of the South forming a scenic backdrop. The event brought together members of Ciotti’s party, the Union des droites (UDR), and several hundred activists. Ciotti is positioning himself as a key figure in the upcoming presidential campaign, despite earlier aspirations to hold a ministerial role if the far-right party Rassemblement national (RN) were to win in 2027. However, this opportunity changed when Marine Le Pen, leader of the RN, announced in July that she would run for president, causing Jordan Bardella, who had been preparing for the campaign, to step aside. Bardella’s close allies, including his niece Nolwenn Olivier and François Durvye, were also sidelined as a result. The RN has recently shifted its policy platform to include more left-leaning economic ideas, such as lowering the retirement age back to 62. This contrasts with Ciotti’s own stance, which has emphasized significant spending cuts. Despite this divergence, Ciotti has pledged to support Marine Le Pen’s presidential campaign wholeheartedly. He noted that the UDR is satisfied with the alliance with the RN and would have supported Bardella just as strongly if he had been the candidate. Members of the RN have welcomed Ciotti’s backing, emphasizing that there is no debate about their collaboration. Ciotti’s political strategy involves elevating local issues to the national stage. For example, he has advocated for ending subsidies for sporting events in Nice and promoting the French flag and national anthem in schools. Some UDR members believe that at least one of the RN’s campaign spokespeople may come from their ranks, particularly in areas like technology and taxation. They aim to serve as a bridge between the UDR and the RN, potentially helping the RN secure a majority in the National Assembly if they win in 2027. The UDR is also exploring opportunities to expand its political dialogue beyond traditional right-wing frameworks. This includes engaging with ultraliberal figures, as seen in a recent meeting. Some of Ciotti’s allies believe that certain supporters of Bruno Retailleau, who is currently running for the right, may join the UDR if Retailleau decides not to run for office. This indicates a broader effort by the UDR to build alliances and strengthen its influence in the evolving political landscape.