When one doesn’t like themselves… or even worse, any occasion is good to settle scores. It is known that the relationships between Olivier Bettati, Benoit Kandel, and Christian Estrosi are tumultuous for many reasons that we have already had the opportunity to present.
The tragic events of July 14th, and the controversies that followed, have heated up the atmosphere inside the local political world (furthermore, the stifling outdoor heat does not help to cool the ambiance!).
In the end, “the time for questions has arrived,” says Olivier Bettati, upset with the attitude of Christian Estrosi who, according to him, “tries to shirk his responsibilities, and that is unforgivable.” “The rhetoric of saying ‘it’s not me, it’s the State, does not hold,” he says.
“It’s a serious fault,” asserts Olivier Bettati, specifically targeting Christian Estrosi, the first deputy mayor of Nice in charge of security and the command of the municipal police (who allegedly lacks the necessary qualifications* and was in his commune—where he is elected and not in the field—for National Day and entrusted the responsibility
With an internal document in hand, the agreements made between the Prefecture and the City in terms of security organization specify that “the municipal police will take over from the national police forces at 8:30 PM to manage the entire traffic plan except for the Phocéens/promenade point, which will be taken over at 8:00 PM.”
More specifically “for the Gambetta/Promenade south roadway post, 2 agents and a diversion via Gambetta Blvd.”
“Why didn’t the city set up concrete barriers at this strategic intersection when it has a truck specially equipped with a crane for this work (which I myself had purchased in 2009)?” Benoît Kandel intervenes.
Regarding the famous video surveillance system of which Christian Estrosi is so proud,
after not having reported the scouting carried out the day before and the day before that by the attack’s author, it supposedly had a shortage of staff, according to the two men: “there were only three officers in front of the cameras that night,” the two officials assert, “instead of the planned 6/7.”
The Prefect and the Mayor are co-responsible for the security arrangements during events, but it is the city that organizes them.
“Not everything is the State’s responsibility, if we are not satisfied with the security arrangements, we cancel the event, especially in such a context,” explains Benoît Kandel.
Judicial and administrative investigations will determine if there are responsibilities and which ones, and by whom.
From a political standpoint, the two opposition group (right-wing) officials have sent a letter to Philippe Pradal, Mayor of Nice, requesting the creation of a municipal investigation commission.
The letter contains their interpretation of the facts, highlights the flaws and inconsistencies, and a few insinuations that will certainly not please the “real” recipient.
The matter has taken an unfortunate turn and it seems far from being closed.
