PROFILES

In his 35 years in politics, Christian Estrosi has been minister for industry, parliamentary representative for
the Alpes-Maritimes, chairman of the regional and general councils, and of course Mayor of Nice. Asked which function he has liked best, his answer is spontaneous: “Nothing is finer than being mayor!“ Short and to the point, adding that he has neither remorse nor regrets about any part of his career. “What interests me isn’t what I did yesterday but what I’m doing today. I’ve always engaged fully in living up to the challenges, to my fellow citizens’ trust in me and to the expectations of those to whom I could be useful. That’s what matters to me: being in the present so I can serve common interests.“ And Nice, of course. “My entire political life has been focused on the Niçois and I’ll devote all my energies to continuing to serve them and embellish our city. I’ve built up an unfailing bond of trust and accessibility with them.” Since last May Estrosi has again been mayor, having given up his role as chairman of the Regional Council. But woe betide anyone talking to him about his “return”! “I haven’t come back, I never left Nice and I never will! As regional president I was also working for Nice’s citizens, to re-establish some sort of regional equity. That too is being “in” Nice. I want to be wherever I can be of service, including Marseille, Paris, Brussels and anywhere else, in contact with the institutions and people making tomorrow’s world. But there’s one thing I wouldn’t change for the world: the morning pleasure of opening my shutters onto our sunshine, summer and winter alike, then jogging alongside our Baie des Anges and having coffee with my pals on Cours Saleya.”

Par Alexandre Benoist

Photo Jean-Michel Sordello