Amidst hostilities between Christian Estrosi and Eric Ciotti, Nicolas Sarkozy was invited yesterday by the Mayor of Nice to inaugurate two alleys named after Charles Pasqua and Philippe Séguin. Two prominent figures of the right, who themselves clashed in the past, particularly on the European issue.
There was a crowd yesterday around noon near the Gare du Sud. Most of the onlookers were present to catch a glimpse of the former President of the Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy, who came by invitation to inaugurate the Philippe Séguin and Charles Pasqua alleys. Two former political rivals, strangely reminiscent of the current feud stirring the right in Nice.
Eric Ciotti was elected, on October 13, as president of the LR federation of the Alpes-Maritimes, a position long held before him by Mr. Estrosi. The latter did not run for his own succession. The entourage of the Mayor of Nice denounced the “multiple irregularities” that allegedly tainted the election. “There can be sore losers,” Mr. Ciotti responded. “If there are appeals, they will be examined. I take this with a lot of serenity.” A frosty atmosphere in this fratricidal duel.
This quarrel takes place in the context of the rallying of the two men – Estrosi on the side of Macron, Ciotti towards that of Wauquiez. It is therefore as a referee – one would be tempted to think – that Nicolas Sarkozy came yesterday to Nice. As a referee, at a time when many political leaders are questioning the supposed aspirations of the former head of state to return, as he multiplies private meetings with elected officials and seeks to embody the figure of the wise man situated above partisan disputes. He dares to repeat: “Politics is over!”
But it was in front of a benevolent crowd that Nicolas Sarkozy was able to stroll yesterday around noon, near the Liberation market. Many applauses and smiles accompanied his ascent into the hall of the new Gare du Sud, alongside Christian Estrosi.
Shock. At the moment of inaugurating the Charles Pasqua Alley, activists cried out “It’s a shame, thug, assassin!” “Exorcism exercise before going to court?” wondered a bystander. “A shame! This notorious Niçois faction also admiring Jacques Médecin and Spaggiari! They do not represent the Niçois as a whole,” exclaimed an annoyed activist! “Ego, pride and total lack of political analysis from Hollande, Royal, and Sarkozy who think they can return!”
Many people – gathered in small groups next to the Liberation market – chanted their refusal to see an alley named after Charles Pasqua, who was convicted multiple times by the courts.
This did not prevent the delegation from reaching the street leading to the new Pathé cinema, to speak to the eager guests waiting to see the former head of state.
“Politics was great, it was strong, it was alive!” Nicolas Sarkozy expressed before paying tribute to Charles Pasqua and Philippe Séguin. “It was a duty for me to be here (…) without him I wouldn’t have had the same career, I owe him so much.” For Christian Estrosi “Who, indeed, better than these two great servants of France, could better embody the two Gaullisms, that of 1940 which carried honor and freedom and that of 1958, which carried social justice and progress? (…) Honoring Charles Pasqua and Philippe Séguin, together, in this neighborhood of Liberation, next to General De Gaulle’s square, facing the stele dedicated to Jean Moulin, it was a duty and a requirement.”
The grandchildren of Charles Pasqua and Philippe Séguin also stepped onto the platform set up for the occasion, to express all their compassion. At the microphone, Philippe Séguin’s daughter expressed her emotion in front of the stele in memory of her father. “We are honored. My father lived here from 1969 to 1970, he never missed an opportunity to come see OGC Nice play. Nice is an important city in my father’s journey.” Warm applause also for Charles Pasqua, whose grandson spoke.
Nicolas Sarkozy was able to praise these two figures of Gaullism but also savor his popularity in this city where he had obtained his best scores in 2007 and 2012.
A rendition of “La Marseillaise” concluded this colorful and emotional ceremony!
