The visit of the President of the Republic also had political significance a few hours before the second round of the legislative elections. In the first constituency of Alpes-Maritimes, by his mere presence, Nicolas Sarkozy supported the UMP candidate Eric Ciotti who was in a favorable position against Patrick Allemand (PS). It was whispered in political circles that Nicolas Sarkozy and Christian Estrosi had bet on a lower score for Eric Ciotti and on his unfavorable position. In this scenario, the presence of the President of the Republic would have been decisive. Political blah-blah. Nicolas Sarkozy was primarily in the capital of the department which had given him the most votes. As much as his educational program, his tour of the Azure Coast was a reward for his voters.
It is common for Presidents of the Republic to visit the French Riviera. This visit by Nicolas Sarkozy resonates as a symbol since it took place at the beginning of his term. There was a crowd in the late afternoon in front of the gate of Collège Port Lympia. Everyone was waiting for the President of the Republic to come out. Snipers on the rooftops acted as lookouts. Security officers were busy keeping the onlookers at bay. It was the event of the day! People waited, chatted, joked, sweated, and readied their cameras and cell phones. “I brought his book ‘Testimonies’. I dream he signs it for me,” one hoped, “I just want to tell him that I believe in him,” another asserted, “I want to shake his hand like I did before with Jacques Chirac, François Mitterrand, and Valery Giscard d’Estaing,” wished this senior citizen. None would see their dream realized. The excitement reached its climax. Nicolas Sarkozy exited the building. Some schoolchildren amused themselves by shouting “Ségolène! Ségolène!” quickly drowned out by militants or supporters chanting “Nicolas! Nicolas!”. The President of the Republic did not linger. He shook a few hands and then got into his car. The crowd dispersed. Here and there, you could hear: “It’ll be better seen on TV tonight.”
