An Eventful Sunday at the Libération Market
“You want Estrosi? You’ll get the mosque!” This is the slogan shouted by the Identitaires led by Philippe Vardon, a candidate in the municipal elections. Between Christian Estrosi and Philippe Vardon, there is mutual disdain, and the term is not strong enough. Their encounter sparked fireworks on Sunday morning at the Libération Market as both candidates met with the people of Nice. A cat-and-mouse game ensued, with Christian Estrosi wanting to avoid meeting and speaking with another candidate, while Philippe Vardon desired the contrary. Eventually, they met, but Christian Estrosi did not reply to Philippe Vardon, who promised him more encounters during the campaign…
Nothing is Decided Yet!
At least, that’s what those close to Jacques Peyrat claim after rumors circulated following the current Mayor’s meeting with President Nicolas Sarkozy. Jacques Peyrat is expected to make an announcement right after the Parisian nominations on Monday, November 5.
Nice Autrement.
This is the name finally chosen by the dissident left-wing list led by Patrick Mottard. Following Christian Estrosi’s Nice Ensemble and Jean Icart’s Nice Gagnant, we now await the slogan of the PS candidate, Patrick Allemand.
Rudy Salles and Jean Icart Likely Won’t Be Candidates
at the municipal elections if Christian Estrosi is confirmed by the UMP nomination committee. But what if the outcomes of this committee do not go as planned? The list of right-wing candidates might then be quite long, and the alliances could be far more complicated this time.
Patrick Allemand
The socialist candidate announces on his blog the inclusion of Joseph Ciccolini on his list. Ciccolini garnered nearly 5% in the 2001 Municipal Elections. Another announcement: the PS-MRC agreement. “Their departmental leader Ladislas Polski will run in La Trinité in second place among the socialists. Regarding Nice, the positions will be made public a little later, but I can already announce that there will be three MRC candidates on the list,” states Patrick Allemand.
The Alternatifs of the Alpes-Maritimes
are rather inclined to join a list that represents all forces of the left, ecology, and the alter-globalization, demanding that active democracy and solidarity be at the heart of the program. In Nice, in the event of a persistent division, it is possible that a new left-wing list could emerge.
Municipal and Canton Elections, On Your Marks!
The upcoming municipal elections are at the center of all interests, but let’s not forget that 6 cantons are up for renewal in Nice, and here some notable tussles could occur, especially in the first canton (Old Nice – Port) where outgoing Marc Concas (PS) might face new Deputy Eric Ciotti (UMP). A fine duel between the right-hand men of the UMP and PS candidates, Christian Estrosi and Patrick Allemand!
Campaign Sites at the Starting Line.
The internet will be an important component of the next municipal campaign in Nice. Christian Estrosi has just launched www.estrosi2008.fr, Patrick Mottard has opted for the name of his list with www.nice-autrement.com, while Patrick Allemand offers www.nice2008.org. Rudy Salles continues to update his blog regularly at [https://www.rudy-salles.com/blog/](https://www.rudy-salles.com/blog/), Jean Icart discusses his projects at [https://www.jean-icart.com/](https://www.jean-icart.com/), and Philippe Vardon at [https://www.nissarebela.com/](https://www.nissarebela.com/).
The FN in Waiting.
Between a Nice visit from Marine Le Pen and overtures from her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, in the media, the message from the National Front to Jacques Peyrat is clear. After leaving the FN in 1995 to join the City Hall, Jacques Peyrat might reverse the course this time. But, even if it would secure him a still-significant electorate in Nice, would the Mayor of Nice risk returning to his first loves, thereby incurring the wrath of the UMP? One certainty deals with the canton elections: Bruno Ligonie (Jean Thiery, deputy) will be a candidate in the 5th.
