On the verge of electing its presidency and its local and national representatives, the members of the Democratic Movement of the Alpes-Maritimes were visited by Gilles Artigues, who came to facilitate a debate between the two contenders for the position of President of MoDem 06.
This election will determine the future of the local democratic movement: will it proceed toward a strict and disciplined organization, as advocated by Loïc Dombreval, elected to the municipal council of Vence and heir of the former UDF, or toward a leadership that allows for significant collegiality, without forgetting the necessary rigor for the functioning of any organization, as defended by Hervé Caël, also invested in the MoDem for the municipal race but in Nice this time?
It will be the members’ vote that decides, what is certain is that Saturday the departmental Movement will be equipped with a structure that will allow it to face upcoming deadlines: partial cantonal, European, and regional elections.
<img27475|center>
Their different, even divergent, conceptions, the two candidates had to present them to an audience of militants—away from our microphones—in the presence of Gilles Artigues, who willingly answered our questions.
He clarified that regardless of the result, the two candidates will be reunited in the same fight and will have to work together, considering this competition as “an exercise that demonstrates the vitality” of the Democratic Movement.
Regarding the gesture towards the left, Gilles Artigues intends to correct the message conveyed by the media: “François Bayrou never said he wanted alliances of apparatus! He addresses socialist voters and militants who are disoriented due to a lack of a clear line and leader, as well as Gaullists who do not resonate with this alignment with American society. We have not come out from under the UMP’s yoke for François Bayrou and the MoDem embody, in public opinion, the major opposition to Sarkozy’s policies.” It’s the MoDem that has taken the lead against the EDVIGE file, in the Tapie case.
Liberty, dear liberty…
Gilles Artigues is aware that this liberty comes at a price but that when one wishes to exist, one must be independent. “A time will come when the French will realize how the country can emerge from its difficulties. Nicolas Sarkozy is about unkept promises, lack of logic, unjust reforms, and therefore poorly perceived by public opinion. We have other methods.” Adding that it is necessary to break free from the sterile right-left confrontation.
Returning to the defections of ex-UDF Leaders, including Rudy Salles, Gilles Artigues believes that, ultimately, it has allowed for clarification. He understands that some preferred to keep their position as a deputy at the cost of this defection. On the other hand, he is much more severe about Rudy Salles’ harsh statements against François Bayrou. And on the fact that no commitment made during the municipal elections was held. “Does Rudy Salles embody an independent center? He would have enough elected officials on the Nice municipal council and has not created his group…”
On the current financial situation and crisis, Gilles Artigues notes that François Bayrou appears worried and skeptical about the windfall that will need to be pulled out of a hat. He has not yet spoken but has vigorously denounced President Sarkozy’s first emblematic measures that benefit only the wealthiest: the tax shield, and recently the RDA, from which they are exempted. “A reform, to be accepted, must appear just,” insists Gilles Artigues.
Regarding the upcoming deadlines, Gilles Artigues envisions them with more serenity than the previous ones, with a much more favorable timetable. “The Europeans, with a single round, a proportional vote, on one of our main issues” foretell interesting scores without resorting to any alliances. Everywhere, the Democratic Movement will indeed lead autonomous lists.
Liberty, independence, autonomy, are words that often recur in the discourse of Gilles Artigues.
