It had been easily predicted, but one did not need to be a fortune-teller to foresee it, pragmatism therefore prevailed, and our title, “from Patrick to Patrick,” was indicative of such an agreement. Furthermore, the steamroller of the right (the one inspired by republican values and the more radical one) with significant support, even if not necessarily intentional, from the Left Front which will present its candidate, is very likely to confine this new “reformist” left to a figurative role with a scenario that is not so novel: A second round on the right!
The union was thus inscribed in the logic of responsibility, and it was no coincidence that it was sealed in a place that could not have been more appropriate: the Union Brasserie. The Socialist Party and Gauche Autrement, the political association founded and chaired by Patrick Mottard following his distancing from the SP during the 2008 municipal elections, will ally to seal it for the 2014 (municipal) and 2015 (canton) elections.
An initial slogan, very explicit, announces the agreement on Patrick Mottard’s blog: “Embrace the past, imagine the future.” However, without the rallying of the left, the future would be rather bleak in Nice if one shares a certain number of republican and progressive values. We know roughly the main political context in which these elections are going to take place.
Patrick Allemand, whom the same Patrick Mottard had asked for primaries to elect the head of the left list for the mayoral position and whose refusal had been strongly contested, is “recognized” as number 1 and will be accompanied by Dominique Boy-Mottard who will follow him on the list.
Other representatives from Gauche Autrement will be present in eligible positions, and Patrick Mottard hopes to associate the PRG despite the resistance of the Departmental President, Jean-Christophe Picard, known for his thorny and personal relations with Patrick Allemand and who, himself, envisions other aggregations.
On the occasion of the presentation of this agreement, which reshapes the leadership of the reformist left that has been torn apart for several years, some program points were also presented and explained. A program which, however, could be reduced to a single point: Ending the autocratic system of the outgoing mayor.
While it is certainly not necessary to erase the past entirely to turn to the future, the two signatories of this document have certainly shown wisdom by offering the people of Nice a real choice for these municipal elections.
The question remains how?
