Welcomed by Jacques Roccaserra, senator of the Bouches du Rhône, and accompanied by Gilles Artigues, Corinne Lepage, and Jean-Luc Bennahmias, François Bayrou made a triumphant entrance into the CMCI hall, which was too small to accommodate the hundreds of MoDem activists and members who had come from the entire PACA region, with Nice and the 06 being well represented!
For over an hour, the leader of the orange party addressed the captivated audience, reflecting on past elections as “an extraordinary adventure and some difficult experiences,” but mainly positioning MoDem and contemplating the future.
“We were not far” from winning, said François Bayrou, despite skepticism from traditional parties and the media.
Regarding the current exercise of power, while François Bayrou, like any citizen, wishes Nicolas Sarkozy success, he disapproves of him on many points: the gathering that the UDF leader advocated had nothing to do with the “poaching” practiced by the current president, “the idea we had was that we could work together.”
The MoDem leader also criticizes the hyper-concentration of power: “this is not a good choice…we will see!” and naturally the budgetary options, such as letting the debt spiral and making “fiscal gifts to the most privileged larga manu…It’s a mistake for future generations.”
Nevertheless, François Bayrou reserves the right to approve what seems positive to him, such as the abolition of inheritance rights between spouses, for example. “We are in a situation of vigilance and freedom,” he concludes on the subject.
Regarding the score achieved in the legislative elections, François Bayrou laments the “unjust” voting system.
In any case, the atmosphere is optimistic, since the MoDem, he specifies, is the only party to offer an alternative, the UMP being merely a transmission belt to the Elysée, the PS having locked down any substantive debate, and N. Sarkozy having created real disarray in his ranks.
The Values of Living Together
Everything (“the house”) therefore remains to be built, and on different values, placing the individual and not capital at the center of everything, economy, ecology…and considering globalization and the triumph of financial capitalism against which a capacity for resistance must be developed.
Concerning the construction of MoDem, François Bayrou emphasizes the necessity of setting rules, an ethical charter of behavior…”to live together in this house,” which welcomes former UDF members as well as new MoDem members. The statutes should ensure everyone that each will be recognized as such. François Bayrou excludes any idea of factions or currents and calls militants to expend their energy outward. With the priority on electoral deadlines, municipal and cantonal, then the following year, European.
The MoDem, he says, must be present wherever possible. And “give a different image than the two traditional and exhausted parties,” he concludes before handing the microphone to the audience.
With always much emotion, the audience will address topics such as the concentration of power, the adhesion of Turkey to the EU, a question that calls for reflection.
A pre-member asks for guarantees – and receives them – on the commitments made during the campaign. And the final word will be focused on the notion of democracy.
A more demanding notion than the one commonly spread, which consists of thinking that a people can be placed by its leaders in a position of responsibility. Based on an “informed and reflective” people, conscience and responsibility being the two breasts of citizenship.
The session should have ended there, but François Bayrou asks the audience to take their seats again, at the request of a lady pointing out that the rest of the panel has not spoken.
Corinne Lepage points out that MoDem is best positioned to answer all the questions ahead of us. Gilles Artigues, despite his recent defeat, prides himself on staying consistent and says he is delighted by so much joy and enthusiasm.
As for Jean-Luc Bennahmias, leaving the greens to join MoDem, he expresses his 100% agreement on everything that has been said. Less pessimistic about the interest of the major media, which, with success, will be there.
It will take François Bayrou nearly an hour to return to his vehicle after receiving the enthusiastic and confident testimonials, shaking many hands, and satisfying his admirers with generously given kisses…
