Nice Premium proposed a set of questions to the candidates for the legislative elections in order to allow its readers to get to know them better, appreciate them, and thus help them in their choice.
Nice Premium: If you had to introduce yourself, what would you say?
Marouane Bouhoudhnine: I have always been interested in others. What drives my commitment is to fight against all forms of injustice or discontent. Medicine and politics are among the tools I prioritize.
In 1986, I was elected the representative of Medical students to the dean of the Montpellier faculty, then I represented them at the University of Montpellier. Then, I was successively vice president, president of the Interns’ Union, and Head of Montpellier Clinic. I eventually was elected national secretary of the Union of Interns and Chief of Clinic of France in 1996.
My commitment has always been selfless and in the service of others. I like to bring people together. My involvement in sports as a former Junior International Football player allowed me to understand that everyone could find their rightful place in a team, or in a country, provided they know and respect the rules.
NP: What is the reason for your involvement in politics?
MB: As a Doctor and Surgeon, I treat the suffering of others every day. I would also like to cure the ills of my Country. I believe I can do things differently. The meaning of my commitment in 2012 is to participate in moralizing public life and fighting against excessive taxation and all forms of injustice, whether social, ethnic, or economic. I want to stop the professionalization of politics made by people who often have no profession and make it their livelihood.
NP: Have you ever been elected or been a candidate in legislative elections?
MB: This is my first legislative campaign, but I learn every day. I have nonetheless a consistent background in associative life, with many elections over 28 years. This also earned me recognition from the Republic. I was also elected by the people of Nice in 2008 on the Nice Ensemble list for the municipal elections. At that time, I followed what seemed like a good project. Over time, it turned out that the story was not as it had been told to me. Cinderella turned into Belphégor!
Since January 2012, I have been elected to the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolitan Council, not appointed but elected by all the municipal councilors of the city of Nice. For my part, I like to serve a city, a country, but not a man.
NP: What are the strengths of your position towards the Azurian electorate?
M.B.: I like to define myself as the “anti-waste” candidate, and I will remain the municipal and metropolitan elected official.
Indeed, I want to fight against the rampant inflation of local and general taxes.
I also want to defend equal treatment for all regarding fundamental needs such as housing or access to employment.
NP: Why are you a candidate in this district?
MB: Because my medical practice is on Avenue des Arènes de Cimiez, because many of my patients live there, in all its neighborhoods. I believe we can do much better, whether in terms of political moralization, lowering taxes by better controlling our expenses, and finally offering more equitable treatment to each of our fellow citizens. I can be the answer to our citizens’ difficulties. The best answer is not to divide them; it is fraternity, justice, and fairness.
NP: How would you define your district?
MB: Albert Jacquart said, “to be useful, one must be used.” This district is made up of all the diversity that, if better used, could give more skills to France.
When we go from Pasteur to Cimiez, from Falicon to Ariane, from Pessicart to St André, we face all the diversity of France that we love and that I want to serve.
NP: What are, in your opinion, the most urgent issues and first projects to be implemented?
MB: First and foremost, I want to contribute to moralizing public and political life. We must put an end to the current abuses of certain elected officials, who hire their spouses, their sons-in-law, who drive municipal cars with chauffeurs paid by our taxes without any real justification.
I want to ensure that our taxes stop increasing.
Finally, I want to fight against the Salles-Estrosi system that wants to force us to increase our local taxes by 20% in 2014, which is something we are being kept in the dark about, but is well planned.
As for projects, three are priorities:
1) The prison: I will encourage the construction of a new prison in our future eco-neighborhood located in the Var plain. I will keep a “green lung” in its place.
2) I will launch an audit to control the procedures for allocating social housing, which, to say the least, lacks the necessary transparency today… Many inhabitants of Ariane and Pasteur will tell you so.
3) I will contribute to halting the inflation of public expenditures to stop the increase in local taxes that stifle our fellow citizens year after year in an unbearably way.
NP: Do you think the Presidential elections will influence the electoral choice?
MB: The French no longer want “bling-bling,” nor divisions, nor the arrogance of some of the UMP and its allies. Cohabitation will be a bad thing for the Country. They are intelligent and will obviously vote accordingly, in favor of some renewal. This is the entire approach I propose.
NP: What is your prediction for the first round result?
MB: I think we will have surprises. For my part, this first round will be the beginning of an intense fight against any form of injustice and any form of abuse of public goods or waste of taxpayers’ money. I have 20 months left as an elected official in this municipality and the Metropolis to keep watch. I will be the thorn in the side of some…
NP: Do you imagine a scenario for the second round?
MB: Whatever the situation, our representation needs to be renewed. We need fresh blood, fresh ideas. We also need a more harmonious and calmer way of analyzing problems and providing appropriate solutions, disregarding personal interests.
NP: How is your campaign going, and what are your next deadlines?
M.B.: The reception I receive is excellent, and my fellow citizens commend the courage of an elected official who dares to challenge the system despite the difficulties imposed on him.
The people I meet agree with the ideas of renewal, moralization of the Republic, and follow me in the fight against perfectly avoidable tax increases. There is unanimity on this point. There are too many projects that jeopardize our public finances.
Next, we have the 2014 Municipals to prepare to renew the elected officials and put an end to an archaic and obsolete system that only works for itself, for the pleasure of one man and his close ones, often from elsewhere.
NP: What will you do on June 10th?
MB: On June 10th, I will visit all the polling stations. I will be surrounded by the wonderful Modem 06 team and the friends who support me, then I will calmly await the results that will, in any case, encourage me for the future because I remind you that I am starting from scratch.
