“The success of some does not mean the defeat of others.” This statement by UMP Prime Minister Franรงois Fillon succinctly summarizes the results of the legislative elections. As expected, the UMP won the majority in the National Assembly. It was a success for the presidential majority as 323 deputies will validate the government’s projects. Additionally, 22 deputies from the New Center, including Rudy Salles from Alpes-Maritimes, will join them. Mathematically, the majority will consist of 345 deputies. They have lost fifteen seats compared to 2002. This is obviously not a failure, even if the result fell short of expectations. “It’s a clear and consistent choice for the presidential project,” the head of government expressed satisfaction.
Mirroring Patrick Allemand, the PS candidate in the first constituency of Alpes-Maritimes, who was applauded despite being significantly defeated by Eric Ciotti (over 60% of the votes), the Socialist Party seems relieved to have avoided a blue tsunami. The PS-PRG will have 206 seats. Adding in the 18 seats from the French Communist Party and 4 from the Greens, the left has limited the damage. Sรฉgolรจne Royal, the PS presidential candidate, stated that this result “gives meaning to the republic.” Three verbs emerged from her speech defining the role of the opposition: to monitor, protect, and propose.
In the Alpes-Maritimes, the UMP’s success is unequivocal. The President’s party swept the board. 7 deputies were elected in the first round. Eric Ciotti, against Patrick Allemand in the First Constituency, and Bernard Brochand in the eighth constituency against Henry Leroy (diverse right), completed the UMP’s strong performance.
However, there are a few negatives in this victory. First, the participation rate (60.77%) diminishes the result somewhat compared to the high turnout in the presidential elections a few weeks earlier. The civic surge quickly waned. We cannot forget the failure of Alain Juppรฉ, the only minister defeated, not to mention the defeat of Jean-Pierre Chevรจnement on the other side.
According to the Ministry of the Interior:
UMP: 314 seats
PS: 185
LNC: 22
PCF: 15
Diverse Left: 15
Diverse Right: 9
Radical Left: 7
Greens: 4
Modem: 3
MPF: 1
Diverse: 1
Regionalist: 1
