The initiative by Patrick Allemand on behalf of the PS to officially ask Patrick Mottard (and company) to join him on his list for the Nice municipal election, along with the positive (albeit conditional) response, has not softened the opposition of the president of the PRG 06 against the secretary of the departmental socialist federation.
As a result, the response from Jean-Christophe Picard, although politically legitimate (the Mottards are registered with the PRG), might seem like a blank shot: thanks for your opinion, but no one asked for it.
In fact, the race is just beginning, and each is trying to extract as many advantages as possible, being a good tactician.
Solid wall or papier-mâché?
The relations between the two have not been good for a long time, and indeed, it should be noted that Patrick Allemand directly addressed Patrick Mottard and his friends from Gauche Autrement and not the PRG.
Response from Jean-Christophe Picard, President of PRG 06
Nothing new under the sun
Patrick Allemand, first secretary of PS 06, has just released an open letter inviting Patrick Mottard and Dominique Boy Mottard “as leaders of Gauche Autrement” to join the list he intends to lead for the Nice municipal election.
Although this initiative is presented as a turning point in creating a united left list, it is nothing new… It is simply the implementation of the electoral agreement concluded on October 25, 2010, between Patrick Allemand and Patrick Mottard. In exchange for the PS’s support during the 2011 cantonals, this text indicated that “Patrick Mottard will support the Socialist Party’s list for the 2014 municipal elections. Representatives of ‘Gauche Autrement’ may appear on this list in ‘the prime’ and gain management responsibilities in case of victory.”
Of course, Patrick Mottard is going to keep his commitments. It is indeed to his credit, as honoring one’s word is essential for maintaining both the trust of his partners and that of his voters. The radical left of Alpes-Maritimes would have appreciated if the local PS had shared this healthy perception during the 2010 regional elections. Let us hope that Patrick Allemand, who has taken on the role of “in charge of renewal” for his own federation, will now be keen to ensure this elementary prerequisite.
In any case, the agreement reached between Patrick Allemand and Patrick Mottard, since October 25, 2010, does not, of course, commit the PRG 06, which, quite logically, was not a signatory. It is with complete freedom that our political party has therefore determined its own strategy for the Nice municipal election. It has also been made public:
Indeed, the radical left had proposed, on October 19, 2012, the organization of an open primary to designate the head of the united left list.
Taking note of the negative response from PS 06, the radical left have been seeking, since July 1, 2013, to meet with all the left-wing political formations to decide, together, on the method for choosing the head of the list, the program, an ethical charter, representativity, and the openness of the list.
As president of PRG 06, it is on this basis, and solely on this basis, that I have opened discussions with all our potential partners.
