The survey showing Christian Estrosi as the clear winner of the upcoming Nice municipal elections was not well-received by local extreme right leaders. Thus, the far-right candidate and the local identity leader analyzed, each with their own characteristic style, this first campaign indicator in which the former is already engaged while waiting for a list from the latter.
Statement by Marie-Christine Arnautu (FN)
The IFOP survey, co-directed by Ms. Parisot from MEDEF, puts the Nice Bleu Marine list at 17%.
Christian Estrosi, who sponsored this survey with the UMP, must have realized this evening that the reported 47% for his list, supported by the moderate right and center-right, are merely mirages… As for the socialist party, it would struggle at 18% of voting intentions, backed by EELV and the PRG…
It’s notable that all other lists would cap below 5%…
The trend is clear: even though the campaign has not yet started, the Nice Bleu Marine list indisputably resonates in the hearts of the Niçois.
Now, we can only hope that the Three Wise Men will bring, in their gifts, the long-awaited moment for Niçois voters — the debate and confrontation of projects. The time of unfulfilled promises of the incumbent candidate-mayor cannot last forever.
Statement by Philippe Vardon (Nissa Rebela)
While it’s always important to maintain a certain distance from surveys, especially when they are as favorable to those who paid for them, it nevertheless seems dishonest to deny that the survey conducted by IFOP for the UMP highlights certain strengths.
It seems quite evident that the primary beneficiary of the division of alternative right forces is Christian Estrosi, who would, according to this survey, come close to winning in the first round.
Seemingly surprised by her result, Ms. Arnautu let herself slip into a euphoria in her comments, which I believe should be put into perspective.
With 17%, she would still be 6% below Marine Le Pen’s score in April 2012 for the presidential election. Given the exceptional dynamics of the FN-RBM on the national level currently, this might be considered an underperformance.
More importantly, Ms. Arnautu refuses to recognize that only a true approach of unity would allow the “Bleu Marine” list to become the main challenger. By adding FN votes to ours, the list would already reach 19% and thus surpass the PS and Patrick Allemand.
By adding the result credited to Jacques Peyrat in this survey, it would even rise to 24%! Not only leaving the PS behind, but even exceeding the potential previously observed for Marine Le Pen in our city.
