He is often known as the little pebble in the shoe through the Anticor association, which has been making waves lately, and as a troublemaker in his capacity as President of the Azure PRG, and once again, Jean-Christophe Picard finds himself at the heart of two current debates.
The first is a complaint he recently filed against the Deputy Mayor of Nice, Daniel Benchimol, for alleged unlawful taking of interest. The second concerns the Nice primaries, which are still waiting to know whether they will take place… or not?
In both cases, Jean-Christophe Picard, as usual, does not hold back, and Nice Premium met him to get “his” views on the developments of these affairs.
Nice Premium: Primaries, corruption… We see you on all fronts, Jean-Christophe Picard?
Jean-Christophe Picard: And I am currently working on the thorny issue of water… Honestly, I have always been very active. It’s because there is a lot to be done here!
JCP: I think the problem mostly comes from others not necessarily moving enough… For example, it was rather up to the First Secretary of the PS 06 to propose a primary to unite the left. Likewise, during the vote on the urban renewal operation related to my complaint, the opposition metropolitan councilors did not vote against it.
NP: Regarding the first issue, why this complaint for unlawful taking of interest?
JCP: The facts are simple: On September 21, 2012, the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolis launched a rather absurd urban renewal operation. Take this: it involves demolishing buildings to construct a square, then demolishing a square to construct buildings… right next to it!
It turns out that Daniel Benchimol, Deputy Mayor of Nice, and his wife own several properties at 24 rue Dabray. By a happy coincidence, these are spared by the project. Better yet: their numerous apartments will significantly increase in value as the entire area will be beautified. For example, the buildings located just opposite will be demolished to make way for the new square.
The only little problem is that Mr. Benchimol, in his capacity as a metropolitan councilor, participated in the adoption of the three deliberations at the root of this operation by giving power to Lauriano Azinheirinha.
Yet, “the act […] by a person holding a public elective mandate to take […], directly or indirectly, any interest whatsoever […] in an operation of which they are […] in charge of ensuring the surveillance […] is punishable by five years of imprisonment and a €75,000 fine.”
And the case-law has taken care to specify that the offense is constituted even if the interested elected official “gives a proxy to another elected official to participate in the deliberation.”
NP: What tipped you off about this case?
JCP: When you look at the plans, you realize that the project stops just before Mr. and Mrs. Benchimol’s properties! Like Spinoza, I have always thought that chance is only an inadequate knowledge of causes.
NP: Do you think this could succeed, and what has changed since it was reported in the press?
JCP: I don’t see how this complaint could not succeed. But I especially hope that the preliminary investigation will uncover the many gray areas that remain in this case. Why were people allowed to buy and renovate properties destined to be demolished? Since when have the majority metropolitan councilors – including Mr. Benchimol – been aware of this operation? Finally, when did Mr. Benchimol buy the building at 24 rue Dabray?
What has changed since my complaint was reported? Mr. Benchimol announced that he would file a complaint against me for slanderous denunciation. But I am a lawyer: threats do not impress me; only legal arguments interest me. I am still waiting for them…
NP: Regarding the socialist primaries, are you hopeful for Nice?
JCP: A local open primary to designate the head of the list has only advantages: it would allow the left to rally, choose the best possible head of the list, and give them the strongest possible legitimacy. It is unquestionably in the left’s interest to organize it.
The problem is that we are not helped locally: the head of PS 06 is doing everything possible to prevent left-wing citizens of Nice from having this modern designation procedure.
NP: If a single candidate is chosen, what will you do with PRG 06?
We will support them and run their campaign, of course!
NP: Is a Picard/Mottard/Concas ticket conceivable?
JCP: Patrick Mottard (PRG) and Marc Concas (PS) are remarkable elected officials who are, quite logically, very appreciated. The PS was really stupid to deprive themselves of such talents for the legislative elections! We could have had two deputies today.
Being on the same list as them would be an honor for me.
NP: In case of primaries, who between Patrick Mottard and yourself will run?
JCP: Personally, I hope it will be Patrick Mottard who will run, on behalf of the PRG.
But if not, I would not be afraid to carry the PRG’s values myself, as I did during the last legislative elections in the 3rd constituency of the Alpes-Maritimes.
NP: Finally, what would you choose between the success of your complaint and a primary in Nice?
JCP: They are not at all comparable. The priority is to improve the lives of the people of Nice. To do this, the left must win the election. And to win, it takes a primary!
