Nice Premium offered the candidates for the legislative elections a Q&A session to allow our readers to know them better, appreciate them, and thus assist them in their choice.
Nice-Premium: If you had to introduce yourself, what would you say?
Rudy Salles: I am from Nice, married, father of a daughter who is a lawyer in Nice, a lawyer myself, and a young grandfather to a little girl. As Deputy Mayor of Nice, in charge of tourism, international relations, and neighborhood activities, I am committed to working for the influence of the Côte d’Azur.
NP: What is the reason for your political engagement?
RS: I am passionately in love with my country. I am happy to serve it at the National Assembly as well as on the ground, close to the people. For me, politics is not being part of a faction; it is serving others but also defending convictions and ideas that one believes in.
NP: What are the strengths of your position toward the Azurian electorate?
RS: The Azurian voters, like all French people, are attentive to ensuring that France is well-managed, that debt decreases, and that deficits disappear. This must be a priority so as not to leave our children in a catastrophic situation. Unfortunately, socialist promises will result in increased public spending. Furthermore, I am fighting to ensure the safety of our fellow citizens. The Minister of Justice’s stated intention to abolish juvenile courts will have disastrous consequences in this area. Lastly, I hope that France will implement a very strict policy to prevent illegal immigration and control legal immigration. Similarly, I will oppose granting voting rights to foreigners and Turkey’s entry into the European Union.
NP: Why are you a candidate in this constituency?
RS: It is the constituency where I am the Deputy. It is a territory that I know perfectly, where I have long been meeting with elected officials, associations, all those who live or work there. And then I grew up in these neighborhoods, went to school here, got married here, in short, I feel at home here.
NP: How would you define your constituency?
RS: It is the constituency of the Niçois hills and Falicon, Saint André de la Roche, La Trinité, l’Ariane. It extends from St. Pancrace to Laghet and from rue Vernier to Falicon. It is a very diverse constituency comprising highly residential neighborhoods, others very popular, active neighborhoods, as well as three external communes to Nice now members of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis.
NP: According to you, what are the first urgencies and initial projects to implement?
RS: The primary urgencies consist of pursuing a policy of budgetary rigor to avoid a drift in our public finances. It is urgently necessary to adopt the golden rule of budget balance and include it in the Constitution so that the State can no longer incur debt to cover operating expenses. Moreover, it is necessary to reform the functioning of the European Union. Europe must protect Europeans, which is why I am in favor of renegotiating the Schengen agreement.
NP: Do you think the Presidential election will influence the electoral choice?
RS: It’s possible, but that doesn’t mean that the President of the Republic will have a majority at the National Assembly. The Right-Left balance of power is very close. Furthermore, in our department that gave a strong majority to Nicolas Sarkozy, I feel the right and center electorate is very mobilized. That is why I believe a victory for our camp is possible in the Legislatives.
NP: What is your prediction for the result of the first round?
RS: I think I will lead in the first round.
NP: Can you imagine a scenario for the second round?
RS: I should be re-elected as Deputy.
NP: How is your campaign going, and what are your next steps?
RS: My campaign is very active. With my substitute Lauriano AZINHEIRINHA, General Councilor and Deputy Mayor of Nice, we are multiplying meetings on the ground, public meetings, private meetings. It will continue like this until the closing of the campaign.
NP: What will you do on June 10?
RS: I will tour all the polling stations in the constituency as I do at every election.
