The Westminster Hotel was the scene, on Wednesday evening, of a magnificent political somersault. The author of this sleight of hand is none other than the UMP candidate in Nice, Christian Estrosi. The man with many hats, both governmental and local, came to defend a cause that is particularly close to his heart: Public Health.
Extremely important, even thorny issue for the city of Nice given the average age of the local population. Under the guise of the 4th convention on health and disability, the president of the Alpes-Maritimes Council took the opportunity to confirm his candidacy for the Mayor’s seat. While his initial words follow the line of the previous three round tables where he wishes to “strengthen the person at the heart of a subject, at the heart of the city,” the paradox remains. He claims to defend himself, engaging in an explanation of his political program that he will make official towards the end of January. But whether paradox or mere political strategy, the entire speech looks more like electoral promises than an assessment of the city’s health situation. Abusing figures of speech such as “yes, I want… If I am elected…” the minister tries to further legitimize his candidacy and possibly his future appointment as Mayor.
Thus, in his candidate attire, he presented his reforms. Ignoring right-left divides, he positions himself more as a man who cannot tolerate this situation. A commendable fight but overshadowed by an extremely well-crafted political speech.
This health convention is a way to confirm his position and implicitly reveal the broad lines of his program. Christian Estrosi, in this manner, can highlight his proposals, his solutions to the many posed problems. At least, if this was not yet the case, he commits to finding them. “The president of the Alpes-Maritimes General Council that I was yesterday and the Mayor of tomorrow can succeed in this task that falls upon him.” With this in mind, many health-related themes were addressed. The “junk food” among children in Nice canteens, addictions, AIDS, diseases like Alzheimer’s or anorexia, the issue of disability, and health centers were scrutinized for more than three hours.
More than ever, the strong man of the UMP in Nice is positioning his pieces. The political chessboard of Nice is in place. The first to play his knight is Estrosi, the battle can begin.
