No surprise. The day before, the election in Marseille of Eugène Caselli (PS) to the Urban Community of the PACA capital, while the right was in the majority, left some suspense. But only in the minds of hopeful socialists. The CANCA only has 7 left-wing personalities out of 91. And so, Christian Estrosi succeeds Jacques Peyrat.
In his inauguration speech, the new president vows to “begin a new phase and implement a new step in community life.” He sets his policy on a “path of break and renewal.” He seeks a balance between the 27 municipalities of the CANCA: “I will respect the balance between the central city and the other municipalities. I want each mayor to be equally respected. A city is central but has a duty of responsibility towards the others.” He speaks of a community of destinies and promises to be attentive to each of the CANCA’s citizens. Christian Estrosi conceptualizes his mandate as “closeness and efficiency, quality of life, and the union of active forces.”
Patrick Allemand plays his role as the opposition and speaks up: “We acknowledge the opening to the opposition. I welcome this. We note, however, that a single local elected official manages two executives and an agglomeration community. We will exercise constructive opposition.” The room, predominantly UMP, listens, but the vice-president of the PACA region adds and advises: “We need to learn to listen to the opposition. The CANCA is a major stake. It is time to realize a true political project, including sustainable development.” Christian Estrosi gets angry: “You are mistaken. I knew you so different. It was important to give a place to the vice-president of the region. This is not a place for ideological debate but a place where we build together.” The altercation ends. The long and tedious election of the 27 vice-presidents of the CANCA can then begin… And here too, without any surprise.
