It’s go! That was the cry that caravan leaders used to give as a signal for the start of a journey during the time of the Wild West. “Go West,” would respond the other members of the caravan, and the journey would commence, sometimes becoming a true adventure! Christian Estrosi and his alter-ego Eric Ciotti have already been on the campaign trail for the 2012 Presidential election and the political elections that will follow in its wake.
It is the confirmation for these two strong men of the Côte d’Azur right-wing of their division of roles: security for the president of the General Council and the hero of “social popularism” (careful not to confuse with … populism), which is his new selling point, for the mayor of Nice.
We will avoid revisiting the remarks of Eric Ciotti which don’t stray one iota from his usual and somewhat repetitive register which is now his (beware of “acting out” psychosis!): zero tolerance for anything defending public and social order, and especially strictness on immigration.
As for Christian Estrosi, he shows his loyalty to the outgoing President of the Republic by invoking his future candidacy (“it’s up to you Nicolas”) and even mocks those from his own party who considered the hypothesis of a primary on the right. However, the scope of his political platform seems to be increasingly distancing itself from that of the Head of State.
Of course, out of loyalty, he will positively claim President Sarkozy’s record by citing the reforms made and the success in international politics. But, as a shrewd politician, he naturally forgot to mention that all socio-economic indicators are negative and that this supposed international aura is mainly a self-proclaimed mirror effect by the concerned party (oh, the super-ego!) and his followers.
The UMP departmental president dons the armor of the combatant for a plea against the socialists and the CAC 40 bosses at the root of the economic crisis and the cause of current social difficulties. He claims for himself the role of interpreter of the “real France” as opposed to “virtual France” in the name of… social Gaullism.
But if Christian Estrosi claims to be a “social Gaullist” in these remarks, is he in practice?
His action is characterized by “social popularism,” the attention to small and medium enterprises whereas social Gaullism had its preferential focus on heavy industry, particularly state-owned.
The mayor of Nice also intends to be a pragmatic man, resolutely alongside the “builders’ France” that acts instead of the “France of quibblers.” His sensitivity is that of a field man, whereas the actors of social Gaullism were rather chiefs of staff, technocrats of the Plan.
If we can put forward a (modest) opinion, one would say that Christian Estrosi’s political options are more inspired by the constitutive principles of the Fabian Society (a think tank founded in England towards the end of the 19th century and which even today offers an important contribution to political debate across the Channel) which remain unchanged since its foundation: “The members of the Society affirm that the ‘competitive’ system ensures the happiness and comfort of the few at the expense of the suffering of the many, and that society must be rebuilt in such a way that it ensures general well-being and happiness.”
Moreover, it was one of its most brilliant members and thinkers, post-Keynesian economist Nicholas Kantor who provided the theoretical foundations to microeconomics, an area the mayor of Nice champions.
We are certain that Christian Estrosi could recognize himself in the “Fabianist” values. Because democratic associationism and solidarity, faith and patriotism, freedom and internationalism, security and social harmony are they not the pillars of a more balanced and fairer society, more attentive to individuals and the community, where one would live better?
So, it’s true that political life is not without contradictions, but to declare oneself a follower of Nicolas Sarkozy and practice a “social-popular” policy opposed to the President of the Republic’s economic and social liberalism… still passes.
But to declare oneself right-wing and end up under the banner of “Labourism”… frankly wouldn’t that be a bit too much!!!
