True to himself and more determined than ever, the Member of Parliament began by reacting to the comments of Senator-Mayor Jacques Peyrat. Reminder: the latter had indicated the day before that he would vote for Jean Marie Le Pen in the event of a runoff between the socialist candidate and the far-right candidate. “I have heard Mr. Peyrat’s comments and I am not surprised. He has never, after all, agreed to renounce his past with the National Front (until 1995). If Jacques Peyrat had been a member of the UDF, he would have been sidelined, as was the case with Charles Million. This old friendship with his former friends is particularly blatant during the city council. It is very clear that there is increasing connivance with the FN representative. Jacques Peyrat even refers to the FN as ‘intelligent opposition,’ to tell you where his mind is. Peyrat/Le Pen, the reunion!” He adds, “We are in an unprecedented situation. It’s the first time in France that a UMP official declares his love for a far-right party.” He points out the lack of reaction from Nicolas Sarkozy’s party: “I am surprised by this silence, but it is not my problem.” For his part, he formally condemns this type of stance.
Regarding the upcoming electoral deadlines, Rudy Salles discusses the UDF method in the Alpes-Maritimes. “There are two major appointments this year: the presidential and legislative elections. As for the presidential election, I will be in charge by the UDF of coordinating François Bayrou’s campaign in PACA.” Ignoring the polls (“I have been vaccinated since 1995 and the candidacy of Edouard Balladur”), the deputy assures that the Béarnais candidate will be in the second round. “Something is happening. His meetings are packed. Moreover, it is seen in the articles of the national press where François Bayrou is being perceived as the third man.” He continues and observes: “Reactions on the ground predict that he will achieve a very good score.” On the local level, the deputy will run a grassroots campaign: “I do not want a campaign that would take place in Paris.”
The UDF tries to position itself above the usual Left/Right divide to appeal to the French. “The electoral campaign starts now. While the PS and the UMP are still wondering, what interests us is the fate of the French. Our example is Germany. The CDU/SPD coalition has even managed to bring the public deficit down to 2%. The situation of our German neighbors is improving because political rivalries have disappeared. We would like the same thing in France,” explains Rudy Salles.
The legislative elections are nevertheless not forgotten. “The UDF will have candidates in all the constituencies of France and thus in all those of the Alpes-Maritimes. Currently, 25 candidates have been designated. The others will be appointed in the coming weeks.” The deputy suggests that “the candidacies be gender-balanced and use representatives from civil society.” A way, according to the UDF, to ventilate the political function.
“I will be a candidate in the 2008 municipal elections.”
The municipal elections are also already on everyone’s mind. “Jacques Peyrat is a candidate for the municipal elections. Very well, so am I. I will face him fairly.” Reflecting on the recent remarks of the mayor, he adds: “I believe that the municipal team is totally supportive of its mayor. As a result, it approves of his remarks and will support him to the end. In 2008, they will be accountable for all this.” Critiquing the mayor once more, Rudy Salles complains about the lack of consultations in decision-making:” The management methods of this city need to be absolutely changed. The mayor needs to be more involved with the people of Nice.”
