Since, following the American model, European political parties have developed the habit of nominating their candidates for elections (we are not talking about internal roles and functions, but about public representation), a primary is considered a means to give visibility to this event, legitimacy to the winner, and to inspire a desire for participation among activists, supporters, and other potential voters.
For reasons that are certainly valid, but which escape us, this will not be the case for the nomination of the Socialist Party candidate to succeed Michel Vauzelle, the historic president of the PACA Region, who has decided not to run again: for the socialists, this will be an internal affair!
Socialist authorities planned for the submission of candidacies before January 15th and the vote of only registered members on Thursday, February 5th, and Friday, February 6th (in case of a runoff).* A short “in-house” electoral campaign preceded the vote: no rally or public debate between the three candidates who are presented to the voters.
As for the person from Nice, Patrick Allemand, 1st Vice-President of the Region and leader of the Maralpin PS, it is known because he has made the announcement himself recently.
It is also known for Elsa De Meo, from Fréjus in the Var, because she had the courtesy and the education to introduce herself on her own initiative.
Finally, we know of Christophe Castaner, the deputy mayor of Forcalquier, currently in the spotlight for being the rapporteur of the Macron law in the Assembly (editor’s note: a public debate with Christian Estrosi, an opponent “perinde ac cadaver” of this law, would have had a certain impact!).
The voters will be the 4/4500 registered from the 6 departments, roughly divided into +/-2000 in the Marseille area, almost a thousand in 06, +/- 500 in the Var, and the rest scattered across the three other departments.
Even if everyone will vote (note, no proxy voting…), for a region that has almost 5 million inhabitants, it seems a bit limited in terms of representativeness.
In this case, wouldn’t it be better to open its doors (and its windows?) to let in fresh air rather than refocusing in smaller groups, which are easier to steer but not necessarily in tune with the electorate (those who vote in public elections)?
Wouldn’t it be better to stack all the odds in favor rather than indulge in Byzantine tactics?
Unless this primary, given the polls that place the PACA Region among those where the FN or even the UMP, have real chances of winning, is organized more for appointing the future leader of the regional opposition than to be won.
The three candidates will present their manifestos to the registered members, tonight at 7 PM at the Nice PS Federation, Rue Biscarra. Another meeting is scheduled for the following day in Marseille, in the premises of the Federation 13.
Thus, three will seek the favor of voters and the “influential” ones who are already in action.
The challenger is undoubtedly Patrick Allemand who necessarily represents continuity or change within the continuity of Michel Vauzelle’s actions, whose record he cannot help but assume, having been his Vice-President during the three common mandates.
The contender is apparently Christophe Castaner, boasting a national stature and undoubtedly some good support within the Marseille apparatus, albeit ravaged by fratricidal struggles, unable to present a local candidate but whose “families” composing it have the power to exert a veto if a candidate does not suit them.
Finally, the role of the outsider belongs to the youngest of the three, the dynamic thirty-something regional councilor Elsa De Meo, the most leaning to the left with an ecological fiber through her professional skills, who wants to fully engage in the race. She could be a “kingmaker” in case of a runoff and position herself for the future.
An important point for the choice is this: which of the three candidates will have the ability and opportunity to unite other left-wing parties for a common list when the national context marks many differences?
Then, there are always some old local disputes: such as, for example, Patrick Allemand’s refusal to merge socialist and FdG lists in the second round of municipal elections in Nice, thus excluding them from the city assembly.
Are all disputes forgotten among comrades?
