Éric Ciotti files a complaint against Minister Philippe Tabarot following alleged threats

The conflict between the mayor of Nice, Éric Ciotti, and the Minister of Transport, Philippe Tabarot, has escalated. The Nice mayor announced on Wednesday that he had filed a complaint with the Court of Justice of the Republic, claiming he had been the victim of death threats from the government official during an exchange on Sunday on the sidelines of an official visit.

According to Éric Ciotti, the incident allegedly occurred in Nice during the inauguration of the Bharat Innovates trade fair, in the presence of the president Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The mayor claims that Philippe Tabarot insulted him before making remarks he considers threatening. This version of events is disputed by the minister's entourage.

A case rooted in political rivalries

Philippe Tabarot's entourage maintains that it was a private exchange that took place after another provocation by Éric Ciotti. According to this version, the mayor of Nice himself mentioned his desire to politically remove the minister from the local and national scene. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Éric Ciotti called for the resignation of the Minister of Transport. He believes that the reported remarks are incompatible with the exercise of government functions and demands sanctions.

This controversy arises amidst high political tensions in the Alpes-Maritimes region. Philippe Tabarot, a former senator for the department, may be tempted to run again in the upcoming senatorial elections. Facing him is Éric Ciotti, who is seeking to consolidate the influence of his party, the UDR, in a department that has become a major battleground between the traditional right wing and its new factions. The Court of Justice of the Republic will now have to examine the admissibility of the complaint filed by the mayor of Nice. At this stage, no legal proceedings have been initiated against the minister.