Patrick Allemand was not there to talk about Patrick Mottard, the dissident socialist candidate. In an hour-long speech and Q&A session, he barely mentioned “the clash”: “It’s just a campaign incident. In a few months, it will be just an anecdote. The people of Nice know who divided the left.” Paul Cuturello handles the attacks: “Patrick Mottard’s choice is an excessive personalization. He can’t say that Nice Plurielle (Editor’s note: the opposition group in the Municipal Council that Patrick Mottard led) was an excellent collective and then claim on the other hand that it was thanks to him that… He is claiming the 2001 score for himself. It’s a gross personalization. It’s one individual causing turmoil on the left.”
Patrick Allemand, on the other hand, wants to emphasize the collective. The images don’t lie. In the photo taken at Place du Palais, it’s hard to tell who the head of the list is. During the press conference, Paul Cuturello and Yan Librati both step in to support Patrick Allemand in front of the journalists. Patrick Allemand has not yet finalized his list. He still has six months to do so. He wants to open it up: “It won’t be a classic list,” he assures. For now, the names on it remain top secret except for those present at the press conference. Negotiations are planned with the PRG, Greens, PCF… with the leitmotif “to gather all the talents of the left.”
The program revolves around four axes: Integrity, Modernity, Solidarity, Quality of Life.
Integrity to combat corruption. “Jacques Peyrat in 1995 was elected to fight against corruption. If in 2008, the right succeeds the right, we will not put an end to this system that has lasted for 60 years with the right in power in Nice. In Paris, this image spills over, and also on an international level. In Nice, the break will be the left,” insists Patrick Allemand.
Modernity. “It feels like the city hasn’t entered the 21st century.” “It’s a city of economic contrast with very wealthy people on one side and a side that is becoming impoverished.”
Solidarity. “The city is very beautiful. People should be happy to live here.” He emphasizes the issue of high rents harming the working and middle classes.
Quality of life. Patrick Allemand wants a city “less polluted and quieter, with quality facilities in all areas. In transportation, we will continue but better by developing the Tramway and organizing multi-modal transport optimally, with enough parking spaces and the goal of reducing car traffic.”
Patrick Allemand will send a letter to all Nice residents on Saturday explaining his project for Nice. “With the launch of the campaign, I’m stepping out of the internal logic and speaking to the people of Nice.” The PS list of Patrick Allemand has six months left to refine their program, to answer the people of Nice’s questions precisely. Regular thematic meetings will take place to delve a little deeper into the details. The campaign is just beginning. Not all cards are on the table, and each candidate will have a wildcard. Place your bets!
