The Republicans: end of the honeymoon between Christian Estrosi and the government?

Frédéric Michel / Photo credits: Bertrand GUAY / AFP 08:37, April 13, 2023, modified at 08:42, April 13, 2023

In an interview with Le Figaro, published on Wednesday, the mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi said that the state does not mobilize the necessary forces in the fight against drug trafficking in his city. Disagreements between the mayor of Nice and the government are quite rare.

These acerbic remarks of Christian Estrosi come in a context of fratricidal struggle with Eric Ciotti, his former friend and perhaps future opponent in the next municipal elections. Eric Ciotti, leader of the LR, is courted by Gérald Darmanin and Elisabeth Borne. The Prime Minister would like to obtain the support of the boss of the Republicans in order to expand his majority.

>> READ ALSO - In Nice, the Moulins district is plagued by drug trafficking

60 additional police officers assigned to Nice

For the mayor of Nice, rarely critical of Emmanuel Macron's governments, this rapprochement between the government and Eric Ciotti is an affront. Like Eric Ciotti, he is asking for more resources. The prefect of Alpes-Maritimes had also reaffirmed at the time the total commitment of the State in the fight against drug trafficking. "Yes, we don't let it happen. We need more surveillance cameras. Yes, we would need drones. We could have better results," said Bernard Gonzalez, prefect of Alpes-Maritimes.

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In five years, 60 additional police officers have been assigned to Nice. Ten more are due to arrive in early May, an increase of just over 10%. But this percentage does not take into account the many mutations. The department has also obtained the permanent establishment of a CRS company.