Against the establishment of an administrative detention center on the Oli stadium in La Trinité, Ladislas Polski protests through a petition. More than 2,000 residents have signed and political reactions are following.
It is in a letter from the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, dated May 15, addressed to Christian Estrosi, that the project is mentioned, confirming existing rumors. The mayor learned about the news from the media. Ladislas Polski wasted no time in expressing his total opposition to the project. In this regard, an online petition on change.org was created. Within eight days, it gathered more than 2,000 signatures. These are positions against the installation of an administrative detention center for foreigners in an irregular situation in the town.
The Alpes-Maritimes is an area of high migratory tension because the department shares a border with Italy. Reception and care for migrants, especially isolated foreign migrant minors (MNA), are at the heart of current territorial policy discussions. In April, La Trinité had to urgently accommodate MNAs expelled from a gymnasium in Menton, by order of the prefect.
A project “unacceptable,” “absurd,” and “unfair”
The town of La Trinité, home to 10,000 residents, categorically refuses the construction of a 100-place CRA, especially on the Oli stadium. This is a site where they plan to establish a new gendarmerie barracks. The location is an issue, but the concept itself is problematic as well. Thus, the town clearly states the reasons for its stance.
The project is first described as “unacceptable,” “absurd,” and “unfair” in light of territorial development policies that the town has implemented in recent years, as well as its efforts to strengthen security and emergence “from a very difficult financial situation at the cost of significant taxpayer efforts.” The mayor explains: “Establishing a CRA here would undermine all efforts made to invigorate La Trinité.”
Moreover, the municipality presents the following argument: “La Trinité is located in a priority security zone where socio-economic difficulties are concentrated.
Establishing a CRA here would mean consigning La Trinité to facing increasingly complex situations in terms of maintaining public order.”
The local political arena reacts
Philippe Vardon, municipal and regional councilor for Reconquête, announced that he signed the petition “beyond partisan affiliations.” The president of the Retrouver Nice group criticized the government. “The Macron government has chosen to endure the migratory overflow rather than supporting Giorgia Meloni’s government in its policy of defending the European border in the Mediterranean,” he stated in a communiqué on Tuesday, May 23.
The senator of Alpes-Maritimes, Dominique Estrosi-Sassone, also sides with the mayor of La Trinité. The Republican expresses her support for Ladislas Polski and the residents and calls for the Ministry of the Interior to reconsider. This, “while recalling the essential nature of such a structure to combat illegal immigration in the Alpes-Maritimes department, which should result from a broader consultation to identify other more suitable and acceptable sites.”
The Republican deputy of Alpes-Maritimes, Éric Ciotti, meanwhile, stated that he does not oppose this project, speaking on BFMTV, Tuesday, May 16.
