The wait for a victory was so long (no left-wing President of the Republic since 1985 and no Prime Minister since 2002, not to mention the results of local elections) that the Nice socialists were almost… afraid of winning while waiting for the result of the 2012 Presidential election.
And this despite the predictions that were largely favorable to their candidate and the leaks coming from the exit polls published by the Belgian press.
Thus, it was a relief when the official result was announced at 8 p.m. and… the celebration could finally begin!!!
The deafening rhythm of the electoral campaign’s anthem, “Change is now,” accompanied the festivities throughout the evening, which, from the headquarters of the Alpes-Maritimes Federation on Biscarra Street, turned into a procession up to Massรฉna Square with Patrick Allemand, rose in hand, standing on a truck, a modern version of Roman consuls parading in Rome after a victorious military campaign.
The same socialist leader, representative of the new President of the Republic in the department, showed modest triumph, emphasizing above all “the hope for justice” that animates all socialists and progressives who voted for Franรงois Hollande. Before launching the call for mobilization for the legislative battle so that the socialists and their allies from the Azure region are represented in the National Assembly.
His former local rival, Patrick Mottard, provided a clear analysis as usual: “Tonight, it is time to celebrate. Starting tomorrow, we must mobilize for another electoral campaign, the legislative one, where we must capitalize on today’s success and transform the vote rejection of Nicolas Sarkozy into support for Franรงois Hollande into a vote of adherence to our coalition’s program.”
With a radiant smile and… some tears in his eyes, Xavier Garcia, the PS spokesperson, shared his sentiment: “It is a great moment for all those who fight in France for a fairer country; Personally, I want to say that I was 6 years old when Franรงois Mitterrand was elected in 1981, and my daughter is also 6 years old on the occasion of Franรงois Hollande’s election! I had never known victory as an adult, and so you can understand my emotion tonight!”
Robert Injey was at the head of the Left Front delegation positioned on the other side of the square (?) from the site of the celebration: “We are very happy to have gotten rid of Nicolas Sarkozy, who had become unbearable. Now, the left cannot disappoint the citizens’ expectations. The result of the Greek elections shows that people’s anger can make a country ungovernable. It’s up to us to rise to the challenge.”
