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|title=LISTE DÉFINITIVE DES DÉPUTÉS ÉLUS À L'ISSUE DES DEUX TOURS
|title=LISTE DÉFINITIVE DES DÉPUTÉS ÉLUS À L'ISSUE DES DEUX TOURS
|language=French
|language=French
|publisher=National Assembly of France
|publisher=[[National Assembly (France)|National Assembly]]
}}</ref> A member of [[The Republicans (France)|The Republicans]] (LR), he will be seeking the party's nomination for the [[2022 French presidential election|2022 presidential election]] at its 4 December 2021 congress. Ciotti previously briefly served as First Deputy Mayor of [[Nice]] under Mayor [[Christian Estrosi]] in 2008, before taking over the presidency of the [[Departmental council (France)|Departmental Council]] of [[Alpes-Maritimes]] until 2017.
}}</ref> A member of [[The Republicans (France)|The Republicans]] (LR), he will be seeking the party's nomination for the [[2022 French presidential election|2022 presidential election]] at its 4 December 2021 congress. Ciotti previously briefly served as First Deputy Mayor of [[Nice]] under Mayor [[Christian Estrosi]] in 2008, before taking over the presidency of the [[Departmental council (France)|Departmental Council]] of [[Alpes-Maritimes]] until 2017.


==Political career==
==Political career==
===Career in regional politics===
===Career in regional politics===
Ciotti was elected to the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes in the [[2008 French cantonal elections|2008 cantonal elections]] for [[Saint-Martin-Vésubie]]; he took its presidency the same year, succeeding [[Christian Estrosi]]. After the [[2015 French departmental elections|2015 departmental elections]], the Departmental Council of Alpes-Maritimes replaced the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes. Following the adoption of a new law organising the [[cumul des mandats]], he resigned from the body's presidency in 2017 while keeping his councillor mandate.
Ciotti was elected to the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes in the [[2008 French cantonal elections|2008 cantonal elections]] for [[Saint-Martin-Vésubie]]; he took its presidency the same year, succeeding [[Christian Estrosi]]. After the [[2015 French departmental elections|2015 departmental elections]], the Departmental Council of Alpes-Maritimes replaced the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes. Following the adoption of a new law organising the ''[[Dual mandates|cumul des mandats]]'', he resigned from the body's presidency in 2017 while keeping his councillor mandate.


===Member of the National Assembly, 2007–present===
===Member of the National Assembly, 2007–present===
Ciotti was elected to the National Assembly during the [[2007 French legislative election|2007 election]]; he was reelected in [[2012 French legislative election|2012]] and [[2017 French legislative election|2017]].
Ciotti was elected to the National Assembly during the [[2007 French legislative election|2007 election]]; he was reelected in [[2012 French legislative election|2012]] and [[2017 French legislative election|2017]].


In parliament, Ciotti has been serving on the Committee on Legal Affairs since 2007.<ref>[http://www2.assemblee-nationale.fr/deputes/fiche/OMC_PA330240 Éric Ciotti] [[National Assembly (France)|French National Assembly]].</ref> Since 2017, he has also been a [[quaestor]] and therefore part of the Assembly's Bureau in the [[15th legislature of the French Fifth Republic]], under the leadership of president [[Richard Ferrand]].
In parliament, Ciotti has been serving on the Committee on Legal Affairs since 2007.<ref>[http://www2.assemblee-nationale.fr/deputes/fiche/OMC_PA330240 Éric Ciotti], [[National Assembly (France)|National Assembly]].</ref> Since 2017, he has also been a [[quaestor]] and therefore part of the Assembly's Bureau in the [[15th legislature of the French Fifth Republic]], under the leadership of president [[Richard Ferrand]].


Ahead of the UMP's [[2012 Union for a Popular Movement leadership election|2012 leadership election]], Ciotti managed [[François Fillon]]'s campaign.<ref>Nicholas Vinocur, Sophie Louet and Natalie Huet (November 21, 2012) [https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-france-conservatives/fillon-cries-foul-anew-in-french-right-leadership-bid-idUKBRE8AK14Y20121121 Fillon cries foul anew in French right leadership bid] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref> When Fillon's opponent [[Jean-François Copé]] eventually won, Ciotti was one of more than 50 party members who threatened to form a new centre-right caucus within the UMP parliamentary group under the leadership of Fillon.<ref>Catherine Bremer (November 27, 2012) [https://www.reuters.com/article/france-conservatives-idUSL5E8MR6CO20121127 French conservatives slip further into crisis] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref>
Ahead of the UMP's [[2012 Union for a Popular Movement leadership election|2012 leadership election]], Ciotti managed [[François Fillon]]'s campaign.<ref>Nicholas Vinocur, Sophie Louet and Natalie Huet (21 November 2012) [https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-france-conservatives/fillon-cries-foul-anew-in-french-right-leadership-bid-idUKBRE8AK14Y20121121 Fillon cries foul anew in French right leadership bid] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref> When Fillon's opponent [[Jean-François Copé]] eventually won, Ciotti was one of more than 50 party members who threatened to form a new centre-right caucus within the UMP parliamentary group under the leadership of Fillon.<ref>Catherine Bremer (27 November 2012) [https://www.reuters.com/article/france-conservatives-idUSL5E8MR6CO20121127 French conservatives slip further into crisis] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref>


In September 2014, Ciotti joined Fillon, [[Étienne Blanc]], [[Pierre Lellouche]] and [[Valérie Pécresse]] on an official trip to [[Iraq]].<ref>Brune Jeudy (August 31, 2014) [https://www.lejdd.fr/Politique/Francois-Fillon-en-Irak-pour-soutenir-les-chretiens-d-Orient-683702 Fillon en Irak pour soutenir les chrétiens d'Orient] ''[[Le Journal du Dimanche]]''.</ref>
In September 2014, Ciotti joined Fillon, [[Étienne Blanc]], [[Pierre Lellouche]] and [[Valérie Pécresse]] on an official trip to [[Iraq]].<ref>Brune Jeudy (31 August 2014) [https://www.lejdd.fr/Politique/Francois-Fillon-en-Irak-pour-soutenir-les-chretiens-d-Orient-683702 Fillon en Irak pour soutenir les chrétiens d'Orient] ''[[Le Journal du Dimanche]]''.</ref>


Ahead of the Republicans' [[2016 The Republicans (France) presidential primary|2016 primaries]], Ciotti managed former president [[Nicolas Sarkozy]]'s campaign for the presidential nomination, alongside [[Catherine Vautrin]].<ref>Anne-Sylvaine Chassany (November 7, 2016) [https://www.ft.com/content/caac17c2-a4d6-11e6-8b69-02899e8bd9d1 French right calls for François Hollande's impeachment] ''[[Financial Times]]''.</ref> Also in 2016, he formally requested that prosecutors investigate [[President of France|President]] [[François Hollande]] over a potential breach of security allowing revelations that Hollande disclosed classified information to journalists.<ref>Anne-Sylvaine Chassany (November 7, 2016) [https://www.ft.com/content/caac17c2-a4d6-11e6-8b69-02899e8bd9d1 French right calls for François Hollande's impeachment] ''[[Financial Times]]''.</ref>
Ahead of the Republicans' [[2016 The Republicans (France) presidential primary|2016 primaries]], Ciotti managed former President [[Nicolas Sarkozy]]'s campaign for the presidential nomination, alongside [[Catherine Vautrin]].<ref>Anne-Sylvaine Chassany (7 November 2016) [https://www.ft.com/content/caac17c2-a4d6-11e6-8b69-02899e8bd9d1 French right calls for François Hollande's impeachment] ''[[Financial Times]]''.</ref> Also in 2016, he formally requested that prosecutors investigate President [[François Hollande]] over a potential breach of security allowing revelations that Hollande disclosed classified information to journalists.<ref>Anne-Sylvaine Chassany (7 November 2016) [https://www.ft.com/content/caac17c2-a4d6-11e6-8b69-02899e8bd9d1 French right calls for François Hollande's impeachment] ''[[Financial Times]]''.</ref>


Amid the [[Fillon affair]], Ciotti succeeded [[Gérald Darmanin]] as deputy of the Republicans' secretary general [[Bernard Accoyer]]<ref>Jean-Baptiste Garat (April 4, 2017), [https://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/2017/04/04/01002-20170404ARTFIG00327-eric-ciotti-prend-du-galon-chez-les-republicains.php Éric Ciotti prend du galon chez Les Républicains] ''[[Le Figaro]]''.</ref> and subsequently became a vocal defender of Fillon as the party's candidate for the [[2017 French presidential election|2017 presidential election]]. When magistrates put Fillon under formal investigation on suspicion of embezzling state funds, Ciotti publicly state "I trust and support Francois Fillon more than ever."<ref>Simon Carraud and Brian Love (March 14, 2017) [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-election-idUSKBN16L1J7 France's Fillon under formal investigation for fraud ahead of election] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref><ref>Jean-Baptiste Vey and Ingrid Melander (March 26, 2017) [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-election-fillon/frances-fillon-very-likely-wiretapped-ally-says-idUSKBN16X0JT France's Fillon 'very likely' wiretapped, ally says] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref> When Fillon called on members to vote for [[Emmanuel Macron]] in the second round of the election against [[Marine Le Pen]], Ciotti refused to endorse Macron.<ref>Paul Chaulet (April 24, 2017), [https://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/politique/elections/guaino-ciotti-sens-commun-cette-droite-qui-n-appelle-pas-a-voter-macron_1901675.html Guaino, Ciotti, Sens Commun... cette droite qui n'appelle pas à voter Macron] ''[[L'Express]]''.</ref>
Amid the [[Fillon affair]], Ciotti succeeded [[Gérald Darmanin]] as deputy of the Republicans' secretary general [[Bernard Accoyer]]<ref>Jean-Baptiste Garat (4 April 2017), [https://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/2017/04/04/01002-20170404ARTFIG00327-eric-ciotti-prend-du-galon-chez-les-republicains.php Éric Ciotti prend du galon chez Les Républicains] ''[[Le Figaro]]''.</ref> and subsequently became a vocal defender of Fillon as the party's candidate for the [[2017 French presidential election|2017 presidential election]]. When magistrates put Fillon under formal investigation on suspicion of embezzling state funds, Ciotti publicly state "I trust and support Francois Fillon more than ever".<ref>Simon Carraud and Brian Love (14 March 2017) [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-election-idUSKBN16L1J7 France's Fillon under formal investigation for fraud ahead of election] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref><ref>Jean-Baptiste Vey and Ingrid Melander (26 March 2017) [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-election-fillon/frances-fillon-very-likely-wiretapped-ally-says-idUSKBN16X0JT France's Fillon 'very likely' wiretapped, ally says] ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref> When Fillon called on members to vote for [[Emmanuel Macron]] in the second round of the election against [[Marine Le Pen]], Ciotti refused to endorse Macron.<ref>Paul Chaulet (24 April 2017), [https://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/politique/elections/guaino-ciotti-sens-commun-cette-droite-qui-n-appelle-pas-a-voter-macron_1901675.html Guaino, Ciotti, Sens Commun... cette droite qui n'appelle pas à voter Macron] ''[[L'Express]]''.</ref>


In the Republicans' [[2017 The Republicans (France) leadership election|2017 leadership election]], Ciotti endorsed [[Laurent Wauquiez]].<ref>Ludovic Vigogne (October 11, 2017), [https://www.lopinion.fr/edition/politique/liste-136-parrains-laurent-wauquiez-135723 La liste des 136 parrains de Laurent Wauquiez] ''[[L'Opinion (French newspaper)|L'Opinion]]''.</ref> In 2018, Wauquiez included him in his [[Shadow Cabinet of France|shadow cabinet]]; in this capacity, he served as opposition counterpart to [[Minister of the Interior (France)|Minister of the Interior]] [[Christophe Castaner]].<ref>Olivier Faye (November 21, 2018), [https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2018/11/21/contre-le-gouvernement-laurent-wauquiez-devoile-le-shadow-cabinet-de-lr_5386628_823448.html Laurent Wauquiez dévoile (enfin) son « shadow cabinet »] ''[[Le Monde]]''.</ref><ref>Nicolas Berrod (November 21, 2018), [https://www.leparisien.fr/politique/laurent-wauquiez-inaugure-son-gouvernement-fantome-21-11-2018-7949007.php Laurent Wauquiez inaugure son «gouvernement fantôme»] ''[[Le Parisien]]''.</ref>
In [[2017 The Republicans (France) leadership election|The Republicans' 2017 leadership election]], Ciotti endorsed [[Laurent Wauquiez]].<ref>Ludovic Vigogne (11 October 2017), [https://www.lopinion.fr/edition/politique/liste-136-parrains-laurent-wauquiez-135723 La liste des 136 parrains de Laurent Wauquiez] ''[[L'Opinion (French newspaper)|L'Opinion]]''.</ref> In 2018, Wauquiez included him in his [[Shadow Cabinet of France|shadow cabinet]]; in this capacity, he served as opposition counterpart to [[Minister of the Interior (France)|Minister of the Interior]] [[Christophe Castaner]].<ref>Olivier Faye (21 November 2018), [https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2018/11/21/contre-le-gouvernement-laurent-wauquiez-devoile-le-shadow-cabinet-de-lr_5386628_823448.html Laurent Wauquiez dévoile (enfin) son « shadow cabinet »] ''[[Le Monde]]''.</ref><ref>Nicolas Berrod (21 November 2018), [https://www.leparisien.fr/politique/laurent-wauquiez-inaugure-son-gouvernement-fantome-21-11-2018-7949007.php Laurent Wauquiez inaugure son «gouvernement fantôme»] ''[[Le Parisien]]''.</ref>


In 2020, Ciotti became the parliament's [[rapporteur]] on how the government handled the [[COVID-19 pandemic in France]].<ref>Chloé Hecketsweiler and Solenn de Royer (June 30, 2020), [https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2020/06/30/eric-ciotti-rapporteur-patient-et-meticuleux-de-la-commission-d-enquete-sur-la-crise-sanitaire_6044633_823448.html Eric Ciotti, rapporteur patient et méticuleux de la commission d'enquête sanitaire] ''[[Le Monde]]''.</ref>
In 2020, Ciotti became the Parliament's [[rapporteur]] on how the government handled the [[COVID-19 pandemic in France]].<ref>Chloé Hecketsweiler and Solenn de Royer (30 June 2020), [https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2020/06/30/eric-ciotti-rapporteur-patient-et-meticuleux-de-la-commission-d-enquete-sur-la-crise-sanitaire_6044633_823448.html Eric Ciotti, rapporteur patient et méticuleux de la commission d'enquête sanitaire] ''[[Le Monde]]''.</ref>


In 2021, Ciotti announced his intention to run as the Republicans's candidate in the [[2022 French presidential election|2022 presidential election]].<ref>Grégoire Poussielgue (26 August 2021), [https://www.lesechos.fr/elections/presidentielle/presidentielle-2022-wauquiez-renonce-ciotti-et-barnier-se-lancent-1341238 Présidentielle 2022 : Wauquiez renonce, Ciotti et Barnier se lancent] ''[[Les Echos (France)|Les Echos]]''.</ref><ref>Victor Mallet (27 August 2021), [https://www.ft.com/content/5c8bf313-5303-44c5-9ead-27fc8849da6a Michel Barnier makes bid for French presidency] ''[[Financial Times]]''.</ref>
In 2021, Ciotti announced his intention to run as The Republicans's candidate in the [[2022 French presidential election|2022 presidential election]].<ref>Grégoire Poussielgue (26 August 2021), [https://www.lesechos.fr/elections/presidentielle/presidentielle-2022-wauquiez-renonce-ciotti-et-barnier-se-lancent-1341238 Présidentielle 2022 : Wauquiez renonce, Ciotti et Barnier se lancent] ''[[Les Echos (France)|Les Echos]]''.</ref><ref>Victor Mallet (27 August 2021), [https://www.ft.com/content/5c8bf313-5303-44c5-9ead-27fc8849da6a Michel Barnier makes bid for French presidency] ''[[Financial Times]]''.</ref>


==Political positions==
==Political positions==
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In 2019, Ciotti successfully added an amendment to an education bill to make it mandatory for classrooms to display both a French and [[European Union]] flag in all classrooms.<ref>[https://www.thelocal.fr/20190213/french-classrooms-to-fly-national-and-europe-flags-from-now-on French classrooms to fly national and Europe flags from now on]</ref>
In 2019, Ciotti successfully added an amendment to an education bill to make it mandatory for classrooms to display both a French and [[European Union]] flag in all classrooms.<ref>[https://www.thelocal.fr/20190213/french-classrooms-to-fly-national-and-europe-flags-from-now-on French classrooms to fly national and Europe flags from now on]</ref>


In 2020, Ciotti proposed a bill to the [[National Assembly (France)|National Assembly]] which would prohibit the dissemination of images depicting functions of the national police, municipal police, military, and customs officers; with a maximum penalty of 15,000 euros and a year in prison for violators.<ref>[https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2020/05/29/une-proposition-de-loi-d-eric-ciotti-pour-empecher-de-filmer-les-policiers-suscite-un-tolle_6041155_3224.html Une proposition de loi d'Eric Ciotti pour empêcher la diffusion d'images de policiers suscite un tollé] [https://www.numerama.com/politique/626740-eric-ciotti-veut-punir-les-personnes-qui-filment-et-diffusent-des-videos-de-policiers.html Éric Ciotti veut punir les personnes qui filment et diffusent des vidéos de policiers]</ref>
In 2020, Ciotti proposed a bill to the [[National Assembly (France)|National Assembly]] which would prohibit the dissemination of images depicting functions of the national police, municipal police, military and customs officers; with a maximum penalty of 15,000 euros and a year in prison for violators.<ref>[https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2020/05/29/une-proposition-de-loi-d-eric-ciotti-pour-empecher-de-filmer-les-policiers-suscite-un-tolle_6041155_3224.html Une proposition de loi d'Eric Ciotti pour empêcher la diffusion d'images de policiers suscite un tollé] [https://www.numerama.com/politique/626740-eric-ciotti-veut-punir-les-personnes-qui-filment-et-diffusent-des-videos-de-policiers.html Éric Ciotti veut punir les personnes qui filment et diffusent des vidéos de policiers]</ref>


For [[Marianne (magazine)|Marianne]] magazine, Éric Ciotti joined [[Marine Le Pen]]'s positions on security, identity, immigration and islamism, sharing with her "an ethnic and identity-based vision of the nation". He thus proposes to change the nationality code in order to abolish the [[jus soli]] in favor of the [[jus sanguinis]] alone, to include in the [[Constitution of France|Constitution]] "our Christian origins", to accentuate security policies (creation of 100,000 additional prison places, lowering of the criminal majority to 16 years, suppression of family allowances to "parents of children who do not respect the values of the Republic"), and seems to adhere to the theory of the [[Great Replacement|great replacement]].<ref>https://www.marianne.net/politique/le-pen/avec-eric-ciotti-le-pen-bis-candidat-a-la-primaire-de-la-droite</ref> In 2021, he stated that "what differentiates [the Republicans] from the [[National Rally]] is our capacity to govern.<ref>https://www.lepoint.fr/politique/ce-qui-nous-differencie-du-rn-c-est-notre-capacite-a-gouverner-ciotti-fait-polemique-30-04-2021-2424391_20.php</ref>
For the ''[[Marianne (magazine)|Marianne]]'' magazine, Éric Ciotti joined [[Marine Le Pen]]'s positions on security, identity, immigration and Islamism, sharing with her "an ethnic and identity-based vision of the nation". He thus proposes to change the nationality code in order to abolish the ''[[jus soli]]'' in favour of the ''[[jus sanguinis]]'' alone, to include in the [[Constitution of France|Constitution]] "our Christian origins", as well as to accentuate security policies (creation of 100,000 additional prison places, lowering of the criminal majority to 16 years, suppression of family allowances to "parents of children who do not respect the values of the Republic"). He seems to adhere to the [[Great Replacement]] conspiracy theory; in 2021, he stated "our society is changing, if we have to talk about 'great replacement', I talk about 'replacement'".<ref>[https://www.marianne.net/politique/le-pen/avec-eric-ciotti-le-pen-bis-candidat-a-la-primaire-de-la-droite "Avec Éric Ciotti, Le Pen bis candidat à la primaire de la droite"], ''[[Marianne (magazine)|Marianne]]'' (in French), 26 August 2021.</ref><ref>[https://www.nouvelobs.com/politique/20211109.OBS50811/grand-remplacement-priorite-nationale-eric-ciotti-a-l-extreme-de-la-droite.html "« Grand remplacement », « priorité nationale »… Eric Ciotti, à l’extrême de la droite"], ''[[Nouvel Obs]]'' (in French), 9 November 2021.</ref>


In the face of Islamic terrorism, he advocated the creation of a "French-style [[Guantanamo Bay detention camp|Guantanamo]]" and the adoption of "specially adapted laws, like the [[Patriot Act]] in the United States.<ref>https://www.lemonde.fr/election-presidentielle-2022/article/2021/11/10/lutte-contre-le-terrorisme-eric-ciotti-souhaite-la-mise-en-place-d-un-guantanamo-a-la-francaise_6101660_6059010.html</ref>
In 2021, he stated that "what differentiates [The Republicans] from the [[National Rally]] is our capacity to govern.<ref>[https://www.lepoint.fr/politique/ce-qui-nous-differencie-du-rn-c-est-notre-capacite-a-gouverner-ciotti-fait-polemique-30-04-2021-2424391_20.php "« Ce qui nous différencie du RN, c’est notre capacité à gouverner » : Ciotti fait polémique"], ''[[Le Point]]'' (in French), 30 April 2021.</ref> In the face of Islamic terrorism, he advocated the creation of a "French-style [[Guantanamo Bay detention camp|Guantanamo]]" and the adoption of "specially adapted laws, like the [[Patriot Act]] in the United States.<ref>[https://www.lemonde.fr/election-presidentielle-2022/article/2021/11/10/lutte-contre-le-terrorisme-eric-ciotti-souhaite-la-mise-en-place-d-un-guantanamo-a-la-francaise_6101660_6059010.html "Congrès Les Républicains : Eric Ciotti souhaite un « Guantanamo à la française » pour lutter contre le terrorisme"], ''[[Le Monde]]'' (in French), 10 November 2021.</ref>


On economic issues, he defends, as part of his candidacy for the primary of his party for the presidential election of 2022, the elimination of 250,000 positions in the [[civil service |civil service]], the return to 39 hours as the legal duration of [[working time]], raising the retirement age to 65, the lowering of [[Corporate tax|corporate taxes]], the abolition of [[inheritance tax]] as well as the reduction of [[unemployment benefits]] and [[Social assistance|social assistance]].<ref>https://actu.orange.fr/politique/ciotti-devoile-son-projet-presidentiel-de-rupture-CNT000001Gzs47.html</ref>
On economic issues, he defends, as part of his candidacy for the primary of his party for the presidential election of 2022, the elimination of 250,000 positions in the [[Civil service|civil service]], the return to 39 hours as the legal duration of [[working time]], raising the retirement age to 65, the lowering of [[Corporate tax|corporate taxes]], the abolition of [[inheritance tax]] as well as the reduction of [[unemployment benefits]] and [[Social assistance|social assistance]].<ref>https://actu.orange.fr/politique/ciotti-devoile-son-projet-presidentiel-de-rupture-CNT000001Gzs47.html</ref>


===Foreign policy===
===Foreign policy===
During his presidential campaign in 2021, Ciotti argued that France should reassert itself by leaving [[NATO]]'s integrated command.<ref>Rym Momtaz (October 15, 2021), [https://www.politico.eu/article/france-politicians-bash-eu-poland-national-sovereignty/ With a push from Poland, French politicians line up to bash EU] ''[[Politico Europe]]''.</ref>
During his presidential campaign in 2021, Ciotti argued that France should reassert itself by leaving [[NATO]]'s integrated command.<ref>Rym Momtaz (October 15, 2021), [https://www.politico.eu/article/france-politicians-bash-eu-poland-national-sovereignty/ With a push from Poland, French politicians line up to bash EU] ''[[Politico Europe]]''.</ref>


He claims an "immense admiration" for the State of [[Israel]] and wants the recognition of [[Jerusalem]] as the unified capital of that country, as well as the transfer of the French embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, in order to "break with a form of diplomatic tradition that is globally pro-Arab" of France.<ref>https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/eric-ciotti-lr-veut-reconnaitre-jerusalem-comme-capitale-unifiee-d-israel-20211012</ref>
He claims an "immense admiration" for the state of [[Israel]] and wants the recognition of [[Jerusalem]] as the unified capital of that country, as well as the transfer of the French embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, in order to "break with a form of diplomatic tradition that is globally pro-Arab" of France.<ref>https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/eric-ciotti-lr-veut-reconnaitre-jerusalem-comme-capitale-unifiee-d-israel-20211012</ref>


==Other activities==
==Other activities==

Revision as of 18:42, 2 December 2021

Éric Ciotti
Ciotti in 2011
Member of the National Assembly
for Alpes-Maritimes's 1st constituency
Incumbent
Assumed office
20 June 2007
Preceded byJérôme Rivière
President of the Departmental Council
of Alpes-Maritimes
In office
18 December 2008 – 15 September 2017
Preceded byChristian Estrosi
Succeeded byCharles-Ange Ginésy
Personal details
Born (1965-09-28) 28 September 1965 (age 59)
Nice, France
Political partyRally for the Republic (1981–2002)
Union for a Popular Movement (2002–2015)
The Republicans (2015–present)
Alma materSciences Po

Éric Ciotti (born 28 September 1965) is a French politician who has represented the 1st constituency of Alpes-Maritimes in the National Assembly since 2007.[1] A member of The Republicans (LR), he will be seeking the party's nomination for the 2022 presidential election at its 4 December 2021 congress. Ciotti previously briefly served as First Deputy Mayor of Nice under Mayor Christian Estrosi in 2008, before taking over the presidency of the Departmental Council of Alpes-Maritimes until 2017.

Political career

Career in regional politics

Ciotti was elected to the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes in the 2008 cantonal elections for Saint-Martin-Vésubie; he took its presidency the same year, succeeding Christian Estrosi. After the 2015 departmental elections, the Departmental Council of Alpes-Maritimes replaced the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes. Following the adoption of a new law organising the cumul des mandats, he resigned from the body's presidency in 2017 while keeping his councillor mandate.

Member of the National Assembly, 2007–present

Ciotti was elected to the National Assembly during the 2007 election; he was reelected in 2012 and 2017.

In parliament, Ciotti has been serving on the Committee on Legal Affairs since 2007.[2] Since 2017, he has also been a quaestor and therefore part of the Assembly's Bureau in the 15th legislature of the French Fifth Republic, under the leadership of president Richard Ferrand.

Ahead of the UMP's 2012 leadership election, Ciotti managed François Fillon's campaign.[3] When Fillon's opponent Jean-François Copé eventually won, Ciotti was one of more than 50 party members who threatened to form a new centre-right caucus within the UMP parliamentary group under the leadership of Fillon.[4]

In September 2014, Ciotti joined Fillon, Étienne Blanc, Pierre Lellouche and Valérie Pécresse on an official trip to Iraq.[5]

Ahead of the Republicans' 2016 primaries, Ciotti managed former President Nicolas Sarkozy's campaign for the presidential nomination, alongside Catherine Vautrin.[6] Also in 2016, he formally requested that prosecutors investigate President François Hollande over a potential breach of security allowing revelations that Hollande disclosed classified information to journalists.[7]

Amid the Fillon affair, Ciotti succeeded Gérald Darmanin as deputy of the Republicans' secretary general Bernard Accoyer[8] and subsequently became a vocal defender of Fillon as the party's candidate for the 2017 presidential election. When magistrates put Fillon under formal investigation on suspicion of embezzling state funds, Ciotti publicly state "I trust and support Francois Fillon more than ever".[9][10] When Fillon called on members to vote for Emmanuel Macron in the second round of the election against Marine Le Pen, Ciotti refused to endorse Macron.[11]

In The Republicans' 2017 leadership election, Ciotti endorsed Laurent Wauquiez.[12] In 2018, Wauquiez included him in his shadow cabinet; in this capacity, he served as opposition counterpart to Minister of the Interior Christophe Castaner.[13][14]

In 2020, Ciotti became the Parliament's rapporteur on how the government handled the COVID-19 pandemic in France.[15]

In 2021, Ciotti announced his intention to run as The Republicans's candidate in the 2022 presidential election.[16][17]

Political positions

Domestic policy

In 2019, Ciotti successfully added an amendment to an education bill to make it mandatory for classrooms to display both a French and European Union flag in all classrooms.[18]

In 2020, Ciotti proposed a bill to the National Assembly which would prohibit the dissemination of images depicting functions of the national police, municipal police, military and customs officers; with a maximum penalty of 15,000 euros and a year in prison for violators.[19]

For the Marianne magazine, Éric Ciotti joined Marine Le Pen's positions on security, identity, immigration and Islamism, sharing with her "an ethnic and identity-based vision of the nation". He thus proposes to change the nationality code in order to abolish the jus soli in favour of the jus sanguinis alone, to include in the Constitution "our Christian origins", as well as to accentuate security policies (creation of 100,000 additional prison places, lowering of the criminal majority to 16 years, suppression of family allowances to "parents of children who do not respect the values of the Republic"). He seems to adhere to the Great Replacement conspiracy theory; in 2021, he stated "our society is changing, if we have to talk about 'great replacement', I talk about 'replacement'".[20][21]

In 2021, he stated that "what differentiates [The Republicans] from the National Rally is our capacity to govern.[22] In the face of Islamic terrorism, he advocated the creation of a "French-style Guantanamo" and the adoption of "specially adapted laws, like the Patriot Act in the United States.[23]

On economic issues, he defends, as part of his candidacy for the primary of his party for the presidential election of 2022, the elimination of 250,000 positions in the civil service, the return to 39 hours as the legal duration of working time, raising the retirement age to 65, the lowering of corporate taxes, the abolition of inheritance tax as well as the reduction of unemployment benefits and social assistance.[24]

Foreign policy

During his presidential campaign in 2021, Ciotti argued that France should reassert itself by leaving NATO's integrated command.[25]

He claims an "immense admiration" for the state of Israel and wants the recognition of Jerusalem as the unified capital of that country, as well as the transfer of the French embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, in order to "break with a form of diplomatic tradition that is globally pro-Arab" of France.[26]

Other activities

  • French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA), Member of the Board of Directors[27]

References

  1. ^ "LISTE DÉFINITIVE DES DÉPUTÉS ÉLUS À L'ISSUE DES DEUX TOURS" (in French). National Assembly. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  2. ^ Éric Ciotti, National Assembly.
  3. ^ Nicholas Vinocur, Sophie Louet and Natalie Huet (21 November 2012) Fillon cries foul anew in French right leadership bid Reuters.
  4. ^ Catherine Bremer (27 November 2012) French conservatives slip further into crisis Reuters.
  5. ^ Brune Jeudy (31 August 2014) Fillon en Irak pour soutenir les chrétiens d'Orient Le Journal du Dimanche.
  6. ^ Anne-Sylvaine Chassany (7 November 2016) French right calls for François Hollande's impeachment Financial Times.
  7. ^ Anne-Sylvaine Chassany (7 November 2016) French right calls for François Hollande's impeachment Financial Times.
  8. ^ Jean-Baptiste Garat (4 April 2017), Éric Ciotti prend du galon chez Les Républicains Le Figaro.
  9. ^ Simon Carraud and Brian Love (14 March 2017) France's Fillon under formal investigation for fraud ahead of election Reuters.
  10. ^ Jean-Baptiste Vey and Ingrid Melander (26 March 2017) France's Fillon 'very likely' wiretapped, ally says Reuters.
  11. ^ Paul Chaulet (24 April 2017), Guaino, Ciotti, Sens Commun... cette droite qui n'appelle pas à voter Macron L'Express.
  12. ^ Ludovic Vigogne (11 October 2017), La liste des 136 parrains de Laurent Wauquiez L'Opinion.
  13. ^ Olivier Faye (21 November 2018), Laurent Wauquiez dévoile (enfin) son « shadow cabinet » Le Monde.
  14. ^ Nicolas Berrod (21 November 2018), Laurent Wauquiez inaugure son «gouvernement fantôme» Le Parisien.
  15. ^ Chloé Hecketsweiler and Solenn de Royer (30 June 2020), Eric Ciotti, rapporteur patient et méticuleux de la commission d'enquête sanitaire Le Monde.
  16. ^ Grégoire Poussielgue (26 August 2021), Présidentielle 2022 : Wauquiez renonce, Ciotti et Barnier se lancent Les Echos.
  17. ^ Victor Mallet (27 August 2021), Michel Barnier makes bid for French presidency Financial Times.
  18. ^ French classrooms to fly national and Europe flags from now on
  19. ^ Une proposition de loi d'Eric Ciotti pour empêcher la diffusion d'images de policiers suscite un tollé Éric Ciotti veut punir les personnes qui filment et diffusent des vidéos de policiers
  20. ^ "Avec Éric Ciotti, Le Pen bis candidat à la primaire de la droite", Marianne (in French), 26 August 2021.
  21. ^ "« Grand remplacement », « priorité nationale »… Eric Ciotti, à l’extrême de la droite", Nouvel Obs (in French), 9 November 2021.
  22. ^ "« Ce qui nous différencie du RN, c’est notre capacité à gouverner » : Ciotti fait polémique", Le Point (in French), 30 April 2021.
  23. ^ "Congrès Les Républicains : Eric Ciotti souhaite un « Guantanamo à la française » pour lutter contre le terrorisme", Le Monde (in French), 10 November 2021.
  24. ^ https://actu.orange.fr/politique/ciotti-devoile-son-projet-presidentiel-de-rupture-CNT000001Gzs47.html
  25. ^ Rym Momtaz (October 15, 2021), With a push from Poland, French politicians line up to bash EU Politico Europe.
  26. ^ https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/eric-ciotti-lr-veut-reconnaitre-jerusalem-comme-capitale-unifiee-d-israel-20211012
  27. ^ Board of Directors French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA).
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