Eric Ciotti, president of the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes, opened the 2010 wishes of the national leadership of the UMP alongside Xavier Bertrand, secretary general, Eric Besson, minister of Immigration, Christian Estrosi, minister of Industry, Nadine Morano, secretary of state in charge of Family and Solidarity, and Marc-Philippe Daubresse, deputy secretary general.
The public meeting of the UMP in Nice took place less than two months before the 2010 regional elections, in a region presided over by the socialist Michel Vauzelle and where the Front National votes worry the leaders of the Popular Movement. “We know that if the FN passes the 10% mark, it’s a problem,” confides Christian Estrosi in front of nearly 2,000 people, mostly of mature age.
With the presence of the socialist party at the head of the Region, the goal is quickly set by Marc-Philippe Daubresse who wishes to “set things right” in PACA. Xavier Bertrand, for his part, wanted to emphasize the division of the PS. “We are profoundly united when they are terribly divided.” The secretary general of the UMP then listed the points that might appeal to far-right voters, such as immigration or security.
The task is therefore difficult for this party, in a socialist region where many Front National voters are dormant.
