The former Mayor of Nice from 1995 to 2008, Jacques Peyrat, yesterday presented his first book “Les joutes de l’arène” (“The Battles of the Arena”). It reflects on his childhood, his career and political commitment, and finally presents his political program for the upcoming 2014 municipal elections.
Before discussing his work, Jacques Peyrat commented on the passing of René Vestri, the Mayor of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat: “He was alive, sound-minded, and spoke fluent Niçois.” Alongside Philippe Cardin, his publisher, he began to introduce his first book “Les joutes de l’arène.” But how did the title come about? “Life throws you into an arena where there is a battle and spectators.”
A Book to Recount 80 Years of History
Born in Belfort, the former Mayor of the city moved to Nice in 1946. He wanted to narrate 80 years of the country’s history, from his birth in 1931 to the present day. But do not be misled by his age; Jacques Peyrat retains the spirit of a young politician.
He distinguishes three parts in his book. The first covers the first 30 years of his life, during which the former senator experienced three wars: World War II, Indochina, and Algeria. “In the early 1930s, France had the second largest empire in the world. By 1962, it was over.” Indeed, AEF (French Equatorial Africa) and AOF (French West Africa) had been dissolved by General de Gaulle. A volunteer in Indochina, he considers the Algerian War as a police operation.
The second part focuses on judicial battles and his career as a criminal and assize lawyer: “The assizes were a bullfight with a fight to the death (NDRL: the death penalty had not yet been abolished).”
Finally comes the last part with his political engagement, which he likes to call “this wench.” “I was not born a politician; I became one through the twist of circumstances.”
It all began for Jacques Peyrat when he worked for Mobil Oil, a large American oil company. Eager to establish a gas station on the Promenade des Anglais, Jean Médecin quickly saw the benefit of having him on his electoral list. Jacques Peyrat responded that his work was in Paris, and the former and now-deceased Mayor of the capital of the French Riviera replied that his wife and son lived in Nice. He would occupy the 29th spot on the list. He thus became a municipal councilor and was hooked on politics. Deputy, Senator, Mayor, Jacques Peyrat saw his life evolve across several tiers of politics under the Fifth Republic: “My life fits into a segment of the country’s history.”
Today he has a vision of politics and its actors: “Politicians are not always courageous. They tended towards voting for one another. They wilt in the face of opposition from others.” He admits to becoming a Senator to be concerned even more with local governments: “I am grateful to this city that made me who I am.” He also wishes to thank the civil servants of the Azure region, who for him are the cog and the history of Nice.
As a Municipal Councilor in 1965 and during his two mandates, Jacques Peyrat and his team always thought about what might be missing from the city. Restoring finances, constructing expressways (a highway to bypass the city and the Mathis Road), enhancing tourism as well as exploiting the Var Plain, social housing in the Saint-Augustin neighborhood, and initiating the tramway: “I claim to have conceived and desired the tramway.” Just a few examples among many.
The Debate on the Port and the TGV Line
“What I did, what I wanted to do, and what remains to be done while settling some scores. My Chief of Staff (the Prefect) said I was being skinned by Christian Estrosi.” But there is no question of talking about naivety. Jacques Peyrat has rather a relative esteem for the current Deputy Mayor on various points, like the Port of Nice and the TGV line.
The question of the Port is back on the table. The abandonment of one of the city’s most beautiful sites was a disaster. The Mediterranean is now a treasure, but the structure remains too small and narrow: “I had imagined breaking the breakwater, widening it by 30°, and extending it a kilometer, but the seabed didn’t allow it. Anyway, Christian Estrosi and Eric Ciotti were not favorable to this project.” In Miami, Jacques Peyrat met some Americans who came for the Carnival. The Anglo-Saxons had eyes only for the Port: “They represent between 75 and 80 boats, but the jetty is still there.” He cites the example of the Italian city of Savona, where Costa created a real port: “We missed the boat.”
No better on the TGV issue. One man strongly opposed the TGV line reaching Nice, “the eternal enemy of Nice,” Jean-Claude Gaudin. He recalls that the high-speed train saved the Phocaean city. For him, a second man put the TGV on the wrong track, Christian Estrosi: “They killed the TGV (Estrosi, Gaudin, and Falco). Maybe we’ll have it in 50 years, but the cards will already have been dealt.” Beside that, the airport welcomes nearly 11 million passengers a year, and to alleviate this flow, the TGV is absolutely necessary. At that time, even Prince Rainier was in favor of an economic rapprochement with the city because the Principality of Monaco depended on the airport and the rail line.
The Goal for the 2014 Municipal Elections
“Complete the work that was not finished.” An important goal for Jacques Peyrat in the run-up to the upcoming 2014 municipal elections. The former Deputy of the Alpes-Maritimes from 1986 to 1988 and of the department’s 2nd constituency from 1997 to 1998 believes that his municipal council managed to restore the city’s finances. He talks about the PUD (Master Urban Plan). A roadmap of 67 projects, of which 40 have already been completed by the elected official: “There are 27 left. Christian Estrosi just had to take over. It’s not Peyrat’s PUD but that of the City. He took over some projects for himself. I feel a bit duped on the matter.”
But Jacques Peyrat remains realistic. No one today knows the reality of the City’s finances, or even of the metropolis. He already gives an estimate of his percentage: “I think I weigh between 15 and 20%. But you don’t make a Mayor with just 18%. I promise Gaël Nofry (FN) 1.5% of the votes. He doesn’t exist on the political chessboard.” For him, people need someone who is well-rooted in the city. It will be necessary to gather voters around a project. He believes he cannot approach everyone: “If there is an alliance, you can’t put down two, three, four times 69 names and not keep my word.” The work for the Gare-Sud, the gates of the Coulée Verte which should cost a fortune, will surely be “a real headache for the next Mayor of the City.”
His team is under construction. His list should be ready by this spring or summer.
