The right-wing primaries are “the choice of a project and a personality,” repeats Alain Juppé to anyone who will listen, with polls indicating him as the best-placed candidate to win. Ultimately, it will be the choice of the voters!
For this reason, it’s essential to cover ground, and what more fertile land than the Alpes-Maritimes, which, in every election, provides the right with more votes than any other department?
Here is the first “visitor,” the mayor of Bordeaux, the privileged guest of his declared supporter Jean-Paul Leonetti in Antibes for a public meeting, along with local powerhouses Christian Estrosi (who hosted him at the MMRED premises) and Eric Ciotti (at CADAM), and, in a more private setting, David Lisnard in Cannes.
A brief visit to meet supporters and for some strategic exchanges with those who carry influence, which will be of great use once things get serious.
The two departmental heavyweights maintained a stance of neutrality: Christian Estrosi prudently retreating into the super partes role of President of the National Commission for Candidacies (conveniently forgetting that it has no jurisdiction over these primaries!) and confining himself to simple hospitality towards a candidate, “as was my duty to do, and as I will do for others,” he said.
As for his position? “I will express myself in due course” leaves more than a hint of doubt about his loyalty to his historical reference point, Nicolas Sarkozy.
Even more nuanced, Eric Ciotti has limited himself to avoiding a direct answer.
He certainly, as the former right-hand man of François Fillon during the famous internal election of the late UMP in autumn 2012, will not choose the guest of the day.
His support leans towards Nicolas Sarkozy, with whom he shares the “all the way to the right” stance, which he expresses at every opportunity, locally and nationally.
But at this stage, as can easily be imagined, it’s the time to keep his cards close and present his best smile.
Therefore, Alain Juppé’s visit was just an appetizer with a few amuse-bouches for the Republican primary campaign.
The main courses may soon arrive…
