For his last campaign meeting in Nice, Christian Estrosi gathered “his” friends (as he pointed out) under the “Nice Together” label, that of his municipal majority, in a palace on the Promenade.
Missing was the one who, as collaborator and designated successor, took his own path and embarked on a journey that would inevitably lead to a confrontation with his mentor, the one who introduced him to political life and gave him opportunities for success.
But how can one ignore that gratitude is not always of this world, just as when growing up, everyone wants to fly with their own wings?
The alliance for shared power is over, the ambitions of both have become a cause of conflict, and there is an irreparable divide, the political line.
Until now, appearances were more or less maintained, but since last night the split is official: the candidates that Christian Estrosi supports are only two, Marine Brenier (the protégé) in the 5th district, and Rudy Salles (the fellow traveler) in the 3rd.
As for Eric Ciotti, a candidate from the same political family in the 1st district, “why should he deserve support?” was heard murmured among the audience.
Nothing is going well between the two strongmen of the republican right who, for some time and on several occasions, have chosen different and opposing political options.
This presidential election has created a wall between the two: both supported Nicolas Sarkozy in the right-wing primary, but the hyper-activism of the president of the departmental council highlighted an ambition for a ministerial position incompatible with the local hierarchy where Christian Estrosi was number 1.
Eric Ciotti’s immediate shift to supporting François Fillon following his victory, his entry into the candidate’s “inner circle,” his ostentatious presence in meetings, his influence for maintaining his candidacy while Christian Estrosi campaigned for withdrawal, the disaster of the first round of the presidential election, all highlight a series of divergences and incompatible behaviors.
To which can be added, Christian Estrosi’s pro-Macron and anti-Marine choice in contrast to Eric Ciotti’s neutral (and blank ballot) stance in the second round, and furthermore, the “opening” to the new President of the Republic (the famous extended hand) by the mayor of Nice while the president of the departmental council launched into the so-called “third round” battle aiming to win the legislative elections and impose a cohabitation government with himself as minister.
In fact, even though the elections have not yet taken place, a right-wing government is already in place, but not the one Eric Ciotti desired, the one that has aligned with the presidential majority…
Thus, Christian Estrosi had a field day contrasting the “progressive reformers” with the “conservative ideologues,” highlighting pragmatism rather than sectarianism, the values that unite (General De Gaulle) rather than those that exclude (Marshal Pétain).
On Sundays, June 11 and 18, voters will decide which of the two options they choose for the next five years: a majority for the Macronist movement, a cohabitation between the President of the Republic and a republican right majority in parliament, a coalition between diverse groups to form a presidential majority, a confusing and hybrid situation without winners?
In such circumstances, is it too much to remember that the basic principle of democracy is that the voter is always right?
