Facilitators of “Besoin de Gauche” in the Alpes-Maritimes, Bruno ESTAMPE, city councilor of Grasse, and Nathalie AUDIN have decided to follow Pierre MOSCOVICI’s call in support of François HOLLANDE in the context of the socialist primaries. Furthermore, as figures responsible for “Génération DSK” in the Alpes-Maritimes, they explain to us the reasons behind their choice.
Nice Premium: Why have you, as representatives of “Besoin de Gauche” and “Génération DSK,” chosen to support François Hollande?
Nathalie Audin/Bruno Estampe: Alongside Pierre Moscovici, we supported Dominique Strauss-Kahn. After he became unavailable, we believe François Hollande is closest to the reformist and social-democratic ideas that we advocate.
We share an unwavering commitment to the left, a European passion, an international vision, and a desire to act realistically.
Moreover, François Hollande seems to be best positioned to defeat Nicolas Sarkozy. This victory is the central objective for the socialists beyond their current choice.
Our support for François Hollande during these primaries is unconditional. The primary is just a gateway, a sort of necessary passage to choose the favored candidate of the left-wing French. It’s the best tribute to DSK to ensure that a socialist, whoever they may be, wins the presidential election.
Once the primary milestone is passed, we will all stand together behind our candidate; there is no doubt among socialists.
NP: What differentiates François Hollande from Martine Aubry or other primary candidates?
NA/BE: With François Hollande, we embrace a left-wing economic and social vision in globalization and refuse the temptation of demagoguery. Those who think that autarky and protectionism would be miracle recipes for getting France and Europe out of the crisis will only degrade our fellow citizens’ living standards and penalize our companies, which today, directly or indirectly, depend on international exchanges. We want a fair globalization based on just reciprocal exchanges, respecting everyone’s work, here in Europe or on other continents.
During the campaign, we will carry this desire to embody, in front of the French public, political responsibility and economic experience.
In the context of a stagnant national economy, the sharp increase in inequalities and the need for justice make, notably, the idea of a significant tax reform absolutely necessary. That’s why together, we will advocate the creation of a single, individual tax replacing the income tax and the CSG, deducted at the source, for more justice, simplicity, and efficiency.
Beyond the economy, we share with François Hollande a political and democratic vision of Europe that transcends historical and religious frameworks. The Arab Spring revolutions should lead us to question what constitutes the essence of the European ideal and encourage us to think about this long-term political project with the Mediterranean region.
All of our comrades would more or less agree with these proposals, which François Hollande fully assumes and brings, notably in the fiscal domain, real operational solutions.
NP: What will become of “Besoin de Gauche” and “Génération DSK”?
NA/BE: We will take our full place in François Hollande’s campaign, bringing him the full strength of our social-democratic and reformist convictions: our sensibility doesn’t dissolve, it will continue to live and play a central role in the months and years to come.
Pierre Moscovici is François Hollande’s campaign director; this is a strong sign.
We are convinced that our ideas will find their rightful place, nationally and locally, with Patrick Allemand, Marc Concas, Marc Daunis, or Antoine Damiani, in the new alliance that is forming today.
NP: How would you react if Dominique Strauss-Kahn gave instructions to vote for Martine Aubry?
NA/BE: Whatever Dominique Straus-Kahn does, we would respect his choice.
But today, Dominique Strauss-Kahn is unavailable, he has given no instructions, no one can claim to be more or less historically affiliated with Strauss-Kahn’s ideas or other nonsense. No one has a sort of revealed truth.
Socialists are responsible people, they choose their candidates according to their criteria, always guided by reason. This differs based on criteria and histories that belong to each person. The essential thing is to come together and win in May 2012. It’s our one and only goal.
We will tirelessly pursue this regardless of who our comrade designated by the left-wing French might be.
NP: What can make François Hollande win?
NA/BE: François Hollande is likable; he is someone who appears new to the French. He can embody a real generational change. Ultimately, only the socialists and his Corrézien electors know him really well.
He also has the energy and competence to become president of the Republic. He has the desire, the sacred fire, the one that pushes a person to their last stronghold. The presidential campaign, as we see today, will be a fierce battle. Our candidate will need to be equipped. François Hollande seems to be the most solid to face it.
But nothing is guaranteed; the primaries will be competitive, perhaps tight. François Hollande will need to convince till the end and demonstrate his qualities to the French.
We, we know them and we will assist him in this direction.
