“I have always said that if I were in good health and the best candidate, I would run again. I just had a check-up and everything is fine. The UMP National Nomination Commission unanimously appointed me. So yes, I am a candidate.” In these times when announcements of candidacies or non-candidacies make the headlines, Muriel Marland-Militello chose the intimacy of her office on Boulevard Garnier, surrounded by her close ones and her young team. It is certainly not a scoop, an announcement as if nothing happened, without surprise.
The deputy wants to talk about her way of seeing politics, expressing her priorities for action: “In an interview on La Chaîne Parlementaire, it seemed like I was reproached for only undertaking small fights. But I love that. I take care of particular cases. I fight for causes I believe in, for initiatives and people who create. Creation requires courage.” She emphasizes this theme by defining herself as a politician artisan: “It’s important to maintain local businesses. They bring life to a neighborhood. They ensure conviviality and humanity. Shopkeepers can offer favors to their customers, unlike large stores. We must help them. Each small problem questions their lives with phenomena they cannot control, and personal dramas keep me awake at night.” She would like more street activities with more frequent concerts and shuttle services almost “door to door” to facilitate carrying groceries. In terms of housing, she hopes to access the list of unoccupied buildings owned by the City of Nice. Muriel Marland-Militello’s program is clearly at the heart of citizens’ daily lives.
On a national level, she supports Nicolas Sarkozy’s presidential candidacy: “I will stay loyal whether he wins or loses. He has the best program, the most aligned with France’s interest. I support competition between the private and public sectors. It stimulates. We need dynamism in the country.”
Attentive to the deputy’s long monologue, Auguste Vérola, former deputy of Jacques Peyrat, will accompany Muriel Marland-Militello in her daily work. “In politics, we have many allies but friends are rare. Auguste is a friend. It’s not smart to sanction people who tell the truth.” With these words, the legislative candidate expressed her solidarity and support for her friend and her incomprehension of the decision by the Senator Mayor of Nice, Jacques Peyrat.
On the sidelines of the press conference, Nice-Première questioned Romain Mouton, parliamentary attaché to Muriel Marland-Militello, about Auguste Vérola’s arrival in the MMM stable.
Nice-Première: Romain Mouton, as Head of the Young UMP, what do you think about Auguste Vérola’s eviction from the Nice City Council?
Romain Mouton: The right has never won by being divided. In Nice, as elsewhere, we must be united with a clear project for our city.
NP: Nice has already lost 7 cantons to the right. Isn’t this eviction likely to have a rather negative impact on the Nice UMP electorate?
RM: The people of Nice are not naive and know very well who is capable of bringing a new spirit to our city. I believe that nominations for the cantonal elections should be initiated by the UMP departmental committee and its President, Christian Estrosi.
NP: Auguste Vérola is not the first from an already long list. What do you think of the “cleaning by emptying” practiced at the Nice City Hall?
RM: Not all cleanings are the same. You know, sometimes we throw away items that we later regret, sometimes essential items… It’s the same in politics.
NP: Finally, what is your personal opinion of Auguste Vérola?
RM: Auguste Vérola, like his family, has demonstrated his great qualities as a man of conviction, independent and dynamic for his city. He loves his city and the people of Nice with passion. I admire his honesty, determination, and freedom of speech. On a daily basis, I observe the immense popular movement that has arisen in his favor. He is one of the rare politicians that Nice cannot do without and 2007 will certainly be his year…
