While the Socialist Party of the Côte d’Azur, particularly in Nice, had won a primary between presumably at least two candidates, it is one of its prominent figures it risks losing, and not just any, as Patrick Mottard is the left-wing candidate who achieved the best score in the history of Nice’s municipal elections, trailing the current Mayor Jacques Peyrat by just over 3,500 votes. After Jacques Peyrat and Jean-Auguste Icart, it is therefore a third potential candidate lining up for the municipal election.
This law professor, married to another notable figure in Nice’s politics, General Councillor Dominique Boy Mottard, says he is relieved by this decision that opens up other prospects for him than those proposed by a party in which he spent 30 years of his political career and in which he likely no longer recognizes all of its values.
This is a new factor in the grand game of the municipal elections and, undoubtedly, this declaration is likely to call many things into question within the left-wing of Nice, starting with the primary that might not take place, with Patrick Allemand remaining the only declared candidate as of today.
Nice Premium met Patrick Mottard at the end of his press conference to gather his impressions following this surprise candidacy.
INTERVIEW PATRICK MOTTARD
Nice Premium: Patrick Mottard, you have just announced that you will be a candidate in the municipal elections without going through the primary. Can you tell us more?
Patrick Mottard: A Socialist primary was imposed on me. I did not wish for it because I find it neither politically nor electorally relevant. But it exists. I thought it was logical for it to take place in front of Nice voters rather than within the framework of a party’s apparatus.
NP: Why did you choose this option?
PM: Since 2001, I have addressed the people of Nice, whether they are Socialist activists or not: it is thus normal for this fundamental choice to belong to all the people of Nice. I add that the municipal election mode allows for such a primary to be organized without risk: it is possible for a list to be in the second round with 10% of the voters’ votes and even, by merging with another, with 5%; moreover, this has no impact on whether or not other lists are present in the second round (for example, the FN’s presence in the second round depends only on its own score).
NP: Under what label will you present yourself then?
PM: The question of the label is premature. But obviously, it will be an independent list, clearly identified with the left, but open to civil society and all those who share our project and ambition for Nice.
NP: Do you expect any reactions from the local and national Socialist Party?
PM: Perhaps. Honestly, I do not know. In any case, I have been a Socialist for thirty years, and I remain one. I just note that the era of Stalinist parties that exclude is over. For example, Paul Cuturello clearly campaigned, during the European referendum, against the Party’s position without any sanction … And he was not the only one.
NP: Have you already composed your list, and can you already give us some names?
PM: Many personalities have let me know that they would gladly participate. This is also one of the reasons that made me decide to break free from the constraints imposed by the national PS leadership in compiling candidate lists. We will be able to concretize all this in the coming weeks. However, I do not plan to communicate much on this issue before January so that we can conduct the debate on substance without interference.
NP: Like for Nice Plurielle, will you have the support of the PC, the Greens, and the Alternatifs?
PM: I don’t know. That being said, I am primarily seeking individual support. I hope to have militants from these formations by my side because the experience of Nice Plurielle has shown that collaboration between different sensibilities can be fruitful, even and perhaps especially on a local level.
NP: You had stated you wouldn’t close the door to the MoDem. Do you confirm your words?
PM: When I talk about bringing people together beyond the left, it is indeed the MoDem that one might think of first. But not only. I want a list that is also a reconciliation list with people who have had very different political paths and agree for the future of our city.
NP: Finally, what will your program look like in the coming weeks?
PM: A press conference will be proposed within two weeks to outline the general framework of the program and the timeline of the participative campaign (like in 2001). But above all, groundwork, meetings, groundwork, meetings…, little institutional activity, and of course, the municipal councils (Nice Plurielle must complete the contract made with voters in 2001).
And then, as every year, I will resume my teaching activities at the University, which is essential to me because politics should not be a matter for “professional politicians.” Competence is not incompatible with immersion in real life. Quite the contrary.
