Following Jean Icart’s surprise announcement that he is leaving the ship at the start of the election campaign, criticizing his former running mate for a lack of flexibility (but hadn’t they met before?), Jacques Peyrat’s response was swift.
In a measured tone, the former Mayor addresses the split but especially announces the continuation of his candidacy as the leader of the Entente Républicaine movement. We are waiting to see in the coming weeks if this will be the final situation or if other alliances are to be expected.
Positions are still fluid, but at this point in the campaign, it seems unlikely that Jacques Peyrat would refuse the support and energy contributions from Philippe Vardon and Nissa Rebela.
Statement from Jacques Peyrat
Following the rapprochement with Jean Icart on October 30th last year in light of the municipal elections in Nice in March 2014, I learned that Mr. Icart had decided unilaterally to break this alliance.
This decision is surprising both in form and substance.
Indeed, basic courtesy would have required Mr. Icart to inform me of his decision at least by phone before making it public through a press release.
Elections are not won by media stunts, nor does such behavior build the stature of a city manager.
This turnaround by Mr. Icart is an evident lack of reflection as well as foresight.
This rapprochement was the signal for a broader alliance aimed at offering a credible alternative to Mr. Estrosi, provided that all players withstand a pressure that was clearly set to intensify.
The weak link has yielded, as was foreseeable, thus playing into the division so hoped for by the outgoing Mayor.
However, the will for union persists more than ever, but also and especially the desire to maintain my candidacy for Nice, in the service of the Niçoises and Niçois, to provide the path of experience and the voice of reason against wastefulness and demagoguery.
