Until the final hours of the official campaign, candidates tried to snatch a few crucial votes in the race for the mayor’s seat in Nice. On Thursday, at the same time, Hervรฉ Caรซl, Christian Estrosi, and Jacques Peyrat held their last meeting. Hervรฉ Caรซl and his Nice Arc en Ciel list struggled to compete with the two estranged brothers of the Niรงois right, former partners of the UMP. The rules are harsh: it’s never those who most need media exposure who receive the best press coverage. Christian Estrosi gathered a thousand people at the Salle Leyrit. The same attendance for Jacques Peyrat at Acropolis. 72 hours before the vote, it was difficult to be original and surprise with new elements. Jacques Peyrat, unsurprisingly, criticized Christian Estrosi and his Golum alias Eric Ciotti. Christian Estrosi targeted Jacques Peyrat, the media, justified the attacks against him, and reminded everyone of his closeness to the President of the Republic. Here too, nothing surprising.
That evening, the meeting point was at France 3. Without Hervรฉ Caรซl but with Patrick Allemand. The three main candidates responded in turn to journalists. Last media round. Hard to pick a winner, though it seemed the socialist candidate might be somewhat behind, less experienced in media jousting. Nothing decisive. Always the same regrets: when will there be a real debate and why are other candidates poorly represented.
On Friday, discussions still revolved around the debate. Christian Estrosi, who dodged it and postponed it to between the two rounds, continues to dodge. Patrick Allemand and Jacques Peyrat took the offensive. (See elsewhere) They called the press. The attack was certainly sincere. It especially served to give Jacques Peyrat and Patrick Allemand a final uppercut aimed at Christian Estrosi, relayed by the media the day before the vote. Fair game on both sides.
During this campaign, Christian Estrosi focused the attention of the media and other candidates. Each of his interventions was scrutinized. The pre-campaign revolved around the real-false suspense of his candidacy, then around his program, his list, his various functions. This is what was called Estropism at Nice Premium. The Secretary of State for Overseas and President of the General Council of Alpes Maritimes knew how to play with this environment even though he complained about its excesses at his last meeting. Bilateral excess with a jet trip priced at 138,000 euros. A mistake or a lack of discernment that the UMP candidate will drag around like a ball and chain until March 16. This episode had the virtue of waking up other candidates. Hearing the street criticize the Estrosian trip, they concluded that Nice residents were far from unanimous behind Christian Estrosi, whom a fall poll had winning in the first round. The “old” lion Peyrat, then, bared his claws. Christian Estrosi wanted to unplug him. A shock for the incumbent mayor. He brought out his paratrooper gear and went into combat against the one who had stolen the UMP label from him. Right-wing duel with press conferences. Christian Estrosi called it to denounce a democratic hold-up after a vote at the municipal council for the grand stadium project. The next day, cameras and flashes crowded the office of the Senator Mayor: he did not appreciate the statements of the UMP candidate. He took the opportunity to criticize the media and especially the regional daily which he incessantly nicknamed Estro-Morning. Polls show him losing regardless: he denies them. And he still believes, continuing to roar against Christian Estrosi.
On the left, we have Bruno Della Sudda (NICEA list) supported by Olivier Besancenot and Josรฉ Bovรฉ. His main objective: to defeat the right in Nice. He will support the leftist candidate present in the second round. And it should be Patrick Allemand. The other Patrick, Mottard, might still create a surprise by surpassing 10%. After criticizing each other in turn while taking care to emphasize that they weren’t attacking each other, they both focused on their program. Patrick Allemand took the lead early in the year. A lead difficult to catch up for Patrick Mottard. The media always talk about those who need it the least… Patrick Allemand relaxed as the campaign progressed. The one who always had a bit of difficulty in front of a camera or microphone got into the game. His last meeting shows it. Sophie Duez and Louis Pastorelli managed to transform the atmosphere within the Azurian PS, notably with the creation of the song “Change era, Change air” which added an artistic note to an otherwise austere Nice campaign. Hervรฉ Caรซl (Modem, MEI, PRG) led the Nice Arc En Ciel list. There was a chance for the Center. Nice is traditionally right-leaning. Right-wing voters might have been tempted to slightly shift left. Some will do it and probably decide at the last minute. But like Patrick Mottard, it would be very surprising, even miraculous, if Hervรฉ Caรซl could make it to the second round. Why is it difficult for Nice’s Modem? The party is recent. It would have needed to be politically established since the last municipal elections.
Lydia Schรฉnardi (National Front) and Philippe Vardon (Identitarians and MNR) will try to recover the remnants of the significant former far-right electorate in Nice. The two candidates, just like Christian Estrosi and Jacques Peyrat, are tearing each other apart.
The people of Nice will decide. Eight lists are enough for voters to find the candidate who best represents their ideals for the city. The programs are serious. Some appear unrealistic or demagogic. Over the six years of the term, the people of Nice will need to stay vigilant to ensure that the elected mayor implements his program. Patrick Allemand considers his balanced. Jacques Peyrat wants to continue his work. Christian Estrosi has more ambitions with higher expenditures that he justifies by his proximity to the President of the Republic, somewhat like in the old regime where lords close to the king had more favors and means of protection. The people of Nice will judge and cast their vote accordingly.
