At the student house in Nice, the mayoral candidates met with Nice students. The meeting was organized by Face06, the student association. The format was 12 minutes of presentations and 12 minutes of Q&A.
The student house’s hall was filled, with many students coming to meet the various lead candidates present that evening. The six represented lists, mostly by their candidates, took turns at the podium. The outgoing mayor kicked things off. “These are municipal elections, and the ability to meet the candidates is simplified. We have therefore decided to bring together young people, those who have questions, those who don’t, those who are informed, and those who are less so. The objective is to combat absenteeism,” explained Amaury Baudoux, president of Face06. Many topics were discussed, such as student precariousness, excessive rents, transport, and culture. Not everyone could ask their questions, but everyone learned more about the candidates.
An initiative that pleases
“It’s really great to be able to meet the different lists, to get involved in the city’s life. Often, manifestos are overlooked. Here, we are in contact with them,” enthused Guillaume Vincenti, a student at EDHEC. This sentiment was shared by all the young attendees. Pauline, Josepha, and Élisa came from the law faculty to get informed. “We are not all well-informed, if at all. It’s more educational to hear them like this. Also, young people are not often at the center of programs; here at least, it’s a good opportunity to hear them on the subject.” The question that repeatedly came up was about student precariousness and the proposed measures. The answers were varied, with a shared observation that Nice is not a student city and needs to become one. Housing is the main focus to make the capital of the Côte d’Azur attractive.
More or less successful interventions
The highlight of the evening was the appearance of RN candidate Philippe Vardon. Known for his eloquence, the Q&A was lively. “Without agreeing with everything he says, I like his straightforwardness. He doesn’t hide behind rhetoric; he seems rather transparent,” noted Élisa. The debate was praised by participants who, beyond political considerations, appreciated the honesty of those behind the podium. Nevertheless, some did not seem to have won voters that evening, at least that is the word in front of the student house. Indeed, while some lists seem to have gained votes, especially with ecological ideas and those directed at the issues of Nice students. For Marine Vengeon, a political science student, “I felt that some had prepared their subject better. They had thought about precariousness, the link with the Crous, while for others, it didn’t seem like it at all.” Everyone had the opportunity to form their opinion, and now the first round will be on March 15th.
