“The right has been governing in Nice for sixty years. I am here to send them into retirement next March 16,” declared Patrick Allemand in his speech. In front of a large crowd and in a warm atmosphere, he announced the four pillars of his program. Unsurprisingly, he made housing the central theme of his speech, highlighting that Nice has only “10.5% social housing” while the law requires 20%. Patrick Allemand committed to building 1,000 per year if elected mayor of Nice. However, this would not meet the goal set by the state, only bring it closer. The ultimate aim of this measure is to reduce the pressure on Nice’s rental market, thereby limiting rent increases.
The left has built its program to satisfy the Greens, who joined them a few days ago. It was notably promised that the housing constructed would comply with environmental standards. Furthermore, Patrick Allemand committed to creating a position for a deputy responsible for sustainable development, to “make Nice a city of environmental excellence.” A real challenge: it is already necessary to rethink Nice’s transport policy, with the tramway being one of the few symbols. The creation of a new east-west line is part of the left’s projects. A line that would go “not from the port to the airport, for tourists, but to the administrative center, not forgetting the Moulins district and the Nikaïa.” A true network of bike lanes would then need to be created.
New Stadium, and… Fighting Insecurity
Not much new in the speech from Patrick Allemand’s allies. Paul Cuturello, president of Nice Plurielle, still managed to stir enthusiasm among the public. When he states, “Christian Estrosi is a candidate for everything. He has an appetite for power, and not just…” socialist activists applaud him heartily. The crowd is much calmer during the speeches of Ladislas Polski (MCR), Robert “Bob” Injey (PCF), Rémi Gaechter, and Marie-Luz Hernandez-Nicaise (Greens). Sophie Duez (civil society), who returned to Nice from Paris a few years ago, found the words to touch the audience. “I was often told, ‘Why are you burying yourself in Nice?’ It hurt me. We need to restore our city’s dignity.”
Patrick Allemand spoke on two new topics. First, the project of a new stadium for OGC Nice. The left’s mayoral candidate wishes to build “not a big stadium, but a new stadium. It would be located at the current Ray Stadium site.” However, he rejects the new city hall project proposed by Jacques Peyrat, “which would cost the city 100 million euros.” Another novelty: the security policy, taken head-on by the PS. “We have to reduce assaults, rather than increase arrests. If elected, ten neighborhood police stations will be created, and nighttime staffing will be increased.” Patrick Allemand concluded his speech by urging undecided voters—nearly half the electorate—to “dare” to vote for him.
The Main Points of Patrick Allemand’s Program:
- neighborhood policy: renew neighborhood councils
- housing: create “1,000 social housing units per year, respecting environmental standards”
- environment: create “a deputy position in charge of sustainable development”
- transport: build line 2 of the tramway, connecting the city from east to west “from the port to CADAM”
- universities: make Nice “a center of university excellence”
- sports: build a “new stadium at the site of the Ray Stadium”
- city hall: no new city hall
- security: “increase nighttime staffing; create 10 neighborhood police stations”
- culture: make the Nice Carnival “a world event, while it has become a regional event.”
