The victory is decisive and indisputable: 50 elected officials out of 54 (compared to 44 out of 52 in the previous term). The UMP wins the departmental elections with a perfect score in the run-offs (21 out of 21) against the far-right candidates.
The FN confirms its establishment and progress in electoral terms but will have no elected official. Meanwhile, the left-wing parties have miraculously survived and will be able to sit in the new Departmental Council (Francis Tujague won the three-way race in the canton of Contes and the Gourdon-Vinciguerra duo defeated the far-right opponent in Grasse 2): a meager satisfaction that should not obscure the truth.
The Left Front is still searching for the magical formula for a (democratic) revolution to occur, and “while waiting for the singing tomorrows,” as the wait is likely to be long, it must content itself with a testimonial role outside of institutions.
The PS, for its part, must completely rethink its approach, learn to play the role of a solid and audible opposition, and most likely consider whether the current team is the right one (at least partially). For the time being, beyond the national context, it is discredited with its electorate and marginalized in the local political scene.
Although Christian Estrosi is not usually one for modest triumphs, this election night is, above all, his victory: “We have won 9 out of 9 cantons in #Nice06! It’s a historic clean sweep.” And yes, in this case, a few trumpet blasts are well allowed and fully justified.
In fact, 9 elected officials out of 9 in the Nice cantons under the label Nice Ensemble, which, added to those in the hinterlands, make 14 out of 14 metropolitan cantons won, with no opposition elected officials in “his” territory… Who can top that?
The grip on every electoral level is complete: mayors, metropolitan councilors, and departmental councilors owe their election to him. Even the mayor of Carros, Charles Scibetta, abandoned his left-wing ideological convictions to take the leap and join the metropolitan and departmental majority. This shows the character’s capacity and power of attraction!
Christian Estrosi will be able to manage local public affairs like a medieval Lord: in his speech to the militants who came in large numbers (victory always gives wings), he kindly reminded Eric Ciotti that it is thanks to him that he holds his place on the General Council and that he expects Niçois elected officials to receive the treatment they deserve!
Next Thursday, Eric Ciotti will be elected president of the Departmental Council. He has been in office since December 2008: “I am a candidate for my succession to continue the policy that has been praised by voters.”
Meanwhile, the result in the Bouches-du-Rhône with the department’s shift to the right opens up favorable prospects for the Regional elections in December: and as Christian Estrosi has already stated his desire to have his part in the conquest of what will be, once the territorial reform is complete, a super-region… when will he announce his candidacy as the head of the list?
