Since Monday, the statue has been surrounded by heavy chains - F. Binacchi / ANP / 20 Minutes

  • A statue bearing the image of the former president was inaugurated on the Cours Jacques-Chirac in Nice.
  • The resin work has been damaged twice.
  • The municipality indicates “to work with the artist on a reinforcement of the structure”.

A retiree braves the new security cordon installed since Monday around the statue of the former president. She approaches her left hand where two fingers were torn off a week ago: "There are always morons to break everything".

Since its installation on the Cours Jacques-Chirac almost two weeks ago, the work inaugurated in the presence of Claude Chirac has not ceased to be talked about, between political reactions and deterioration. The city says "work with the artist on strengthening the structure".

Two fingers were torn off on one of the statue's hands - F. Binacchi / ANP / 20 Minutes

On Saturday evening, two individuals again damaged the statue, while climbing it. Two people were interviewed and released because they could not be identified. “The man may have had faults, but he was still a head of state, says Jean-Baptiste, who also came in curious to see the damage. I don't understand how you can go after something like that. Afterwards, it may just be the work of idiots who have no political consideration. ”

A new bronze statue? The city denies

At the same time, controversies are multiplying. On the price of the work, deemed too sometimes too low or too high (28,000 euros). On its resin design (too fragile?). Benoît Kandel and Jean-Marc Chipot, candidates for mayor of Nice on the same list (CNIP, Debout la France) also relayed on social networks that a second statue, in bronze, may soon replace the first for a price of 80,000 euros.

The city, which had a protective cord installed on Monday while poles and heavy chain, denies. On the other hand, the officials of the municipality indicate that "faced with acts of incivism for which [they] have complained, [they] do not give up and work with the artist on a reinforcement of the structure of the statue".

Yesterday evening, individuals degraded the statue of Jacques Chirac by climbing it. The @pmdenice has all the images and we will file a complaint. Following these inadmissible and imbecile behaviors, we will see to raise the work or strengthen its security.

- Christian Estrosi (@cestrosi) February 16, 2020

"Following these inadmissible and imbecile behavior, we will see to raise the work or strengthen its security," had promised Mayor Christian Estrosi in a tweet.

Nice

Barely installed, the statue of Jacques Chirac makes the municipal candidates react and is "amputated"

Bordeaux

A statue of Chaban-Delmas inaugurated in the city center

  • Jacques Chirac
  • Tribute
  • Vandalism
  • Nice
  • Statue