“On your marks, get set… sponsor! This is somewhat the motto of teams from each camp crisscrossing municipalities and institutions across France to collect a promise that must subsequently be converted into a signature using a form that elected officials must send back, duly signed, to the Constitutional Council.
Among the candidates for nomination, we find Jean-Marie Le Pen and Philippe De Villiers, who announce having just over 400 signatures, much like Nicolas Dupont Aignant and Olivier Besancenot, who are not far from reaching the electoral goal line. On the Green side, none of the potential candidates (Dominique Voynet, France Gamerre, Noël Mamère, Antoine Waechter, or Corinne Lepage) have reached the five hundred marks.
Gérard Schivardi, the candidate supported by the mayors and the Workers’ Party, announces that he will have his 500 sponsors “and godmothers” by the set date, while Frédéric Nihous of Hunting, Fishing, Nature and Traditions has just surpassed the 400 intent mark. The only candidate from Nice in the presidential endorsement contest, Jean-Marc Governatori, is credited with just over 250 votes and does not rule out joining forces with other candidates of the same stature to secure the precious sesame.
With 47,000 potential elected officials having the right to sponsor a candidate, nothing is settled yet, and negotiations will be fierce with Deputies, Senators, European Deputies, Mayors, General Councilors, Regional Councilors, and Paris Councilors ready to support the one who will represent their colors in the upcoming presidential election.
Nice Premium is currently studying various local sponsorships and will very soon offer you a panel of choices from our various elected officials who make up the Azuréen political landscape. While some have already responded very frankly on this matter, others are more reluctant, and a tiny part prefers to “kick into touch” by feigning ignorance of our request.
Thus, 23 days to enter a Top 500 that will open the doors to a ballot that seems as undecided as ever and might even become more so with each passing day.”
