Eric Ciotti was re(elected) president of the Departmental Council of the Alpes-Maritimes following the elections on March 22 and 29, in the presence of civil authorities (led by Prefect Adolphe Colrat) and military authorities, as well as a few national officials.
He received 50 votes from the 50 counselors of the right-wing party, along with 4 blank ballots: given the (extra)large majority he commanded, it would have been more elegant for him not to participate in the vote.
The protocol and operational regulations then called for the election of the 15 Vice-Presidents: the 1st Vice-President, as in the previous term, is Charles-Ange Ginesy, who is entrusted with the finance delegation and aid to municipalities.
Seven female councilors were also elected vice-presidents with various responsibilities: notable is the appointment of Dominique Estrosi-Sassone as number 2, who will be in charge of housing, as she already does in Nice and the NCA Metropolis.
The newly elected Eric Ciotti, while addressing his peers, between reflecting on a glorious past and generously giving thanks, outlined the mission framework of the local government that he will preside over in the coming years. He proposed a method “to reconcile our citizens with politics. This method is based on three words: truth, proximity, and authority.”
However, the new President reaffirmed his commitment not to increase local taxes before concluding his speech by declaring the Alpes-Maritimes “a department of reconquest”… words that might seem at odds with the fact that Eric Ciotti is succeeding… himself!
The opposition aligned itself with the back-to-school atmosphere characterizing the session (stands filled and cameras clicking for memories and sharing on social networks).
Marie-Louise Gourdon, speaking on behalf of the (mini-)socialist and ecologist group, expressed a consensual desire “to work calmly in the service of our department’s future.”
And to set the course for her action: “You can count on our support every time you present resolutions that seem to us to serve the general interest. You can also count on our firm opposition every time your choices seem contrary to the principles that form the basis of our commitment.”
The same tone was observed from the Left Front group, represented by the communist Francis Tujague, a rural representative from the Roya, Bévéra, and Paillons areas (he is the mayor of Contes): “This action will be, as you will not be surprised, in opposition but with an always constructive and republican approach aiming to be a source of proposals based on the concrete needs of our people.”
Besides, what else could be said in the face of such disproportionate power balances?
The continuation will be on April 24 to establish the functioning of this assembly that will manage departmental public policies for the next six years.
