Christian Estrosi withdrew their delegations from Antoine Véran and Jean-Paul Fabre for attending a political meeting of the UDR, allied with the RN. The majority group must now meet to decide on the next steps.
Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice and president of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, decided to withdraw the delegations from Antoine Véran, mayor of Levens, and Jean-Paul Fabre, mayor of Saint-Blaise. This decision follows their participation in a meeting organized by the UDR, allied with the National Rally, on January 24th.
The president of the Metropolis had set clear conditions for the members of his majority. The “charter of trust” notably requires elected officials to refuse any alliance with the extremes and to support the budgetary orientations of the metropolis. By attending this political meeting, Antoine Véran and Jean-Paul Fabre effectively excluded themselves from the majority group. This situation led to the suspension of their delegations.
Antoine Véran was responsible for Agriculture and Forestry. Jean-Paul Fabre, responsible for metropolitan cemeteries and funeral sites, faces the same sanction. Both officials had joined the Republican Rally group after the resignation and re-election of Christian Estrosi to the presidency of the Metropolis in July 2024. Their participation in the UDR meeting was interpreted as a challenge to their commitment.
A new balance to be found
The withdrawal of these delegations marks a reshuffling within the metropolitan executive. The delegation for Agriculture and Forestry is entrusted to Paul Burro, mayor of Belvédère. Philippe Heura, mayor of Le Broc, takes charge of Metropolitan Cemeteries and Funeral Sites.
The Republican Rally group will now have to meet to decide on the next steps. This eviction occurs as the local political landscape is being reshaped in preparation for the 2026 municipal elections. Eric Ciotti, UDR deputy and ally of the RN, has not yet announced his candidacy, but his intention to run for the mayor of Nice is no longer a secret.
In this context, the metropolis seeks to consolidate its majority and preserve its political direction.