Overview
- Éric Ciotti announced on January 19 that Jean‑Pierre Rivère withdrew from his municipal list due to a reported risk of ineligibility linked to his club leadership.
- Rivère will serve as co‑president of Ciotti’s support committee and is slated to become a special adviser if Ciotti wins the mayoralty or the metropolitan presidency.
- Christian Estrosi’s camp said it referred the matter to the Alpes‑Maritimes prefect, arguing a conflict of interest under the electoral code.
- Opponents point to Rivère’s December 2025 return to OGC Nice after an August departure, invoking the six‑month ineligibility rule for private providers of municipal services.
- Ciotti’s team called the dispute “artificial agitation” and emphasized that Rivère remains publicly aligned with the campaign.