The journalists are on their knees: what will he decide? Will he run or not? He continues his speech, using his notes only for the numbers, and recalls his “attachment to the city of Nice.” He masters his subject. Above all, he is a master of suspense.
It is 7:30 PM. Everyone, guests, onlookers, and partners have left. A few close ones remain. A handful, a sprinkle stay as the evening slowly falls on the promenade, stingy with truth. Christian Estrosi is still there. He is no longer recognizable among the onlookers. As he talks, chin in hand, and an arm folded over his chest, something on his face betrays a dilemma. He seems torn between a worry and an important decision to make.
On Monday, everything will be decided. On Monday, the citizens will know his decision. For now, he weighs the pros and cons.
Why should he add a third candidacy and a third role?
A withdrawal almost as delicate as a candidacy
Within the Socialist Party, as well as the Communist Party, everyone has already assumed his candidacy as certain. In this strange position of a challenger, for whom it would be a first to hold the position of mayor of the fifth largest city in France, all options become temptations. Entering the municipal race after becoming a minister of a majority would lead him to battle personalities from his own camp and would be counterproductive as the other candidates themselves have strong arguments supporting their claims.
It would be almost as difficult to explain the withdrawal as it would be to explain his candidacy. Anyone who knows they are expected must advance plausible reasons for their refusal. And in this case, the statements by Jean Icart have necessarily disrupted the game regardless of what Christian Estrosi has decided.
By appearing faithful among the faithful of Nicolas Sarkozy, is he not following the same flair that led the future President of the Republic to say that he belonged to the ambitious of the early morning?
