The first round is in less than 48 hours, and the candidates are finalizing a campaign that has lasted several months, trying to convince skeptics and motivate their supporters for a final effort.
Robert Injey, the Front de Gauche candidate “people first” in the municipal elections, held his final campaign rally yesterday. The chosen venue was no coincidence, the Black Box Hall in the Bon Voyage district, a municipal hall that aligns with the candidate’s program and commitments “unlike others who march at the CUM or in large hotels.”
The three main candidates gave speeches to reiterate their commitments and program for the city. Arthur Leduc, number 3 on the list, a history-geography teacher and union activist, highlighted concrete proposals like the creation of a citizen observatory and transparency regarding the actions of the municipal council.
He expressed his frustration with the outgoing mayor, “enough with the power of a camp, a system, clientelism, an oligarchy. Enough with the racist and xenophobic remarks.” He wants to grant voting rights to foreigners in local elections.
Roseline Grac, number 2 on the list, an occupational psychologist and community activist on secularism issues, co-departmental secretary, and national advisor of the PG, followed by stating that the motivation remains intact and that the Front de Gauche is the only party present on the ground and in all city districts.
She talked about the need for Nice residents to breathe, find housing, and move around. Rental prices are too high, and she promised that 2,000 social housing units would be created annually, aiming for 20% affordable housing by 2020. The preemption of public buildings, the rehabilitation of housing, and free public transport were also discussed. Regarding the much-discussed underground, Line 1 of the tram will indeed be on the surface and will be extended to Ariane.
Then Robert Injey, number 1 on the list, spoke, stating that the campaign has been very active for the Front de Gauche. He reminded that Nice is currently struggling, with over 10% of the population living below the poverty line, transportation in crisis, and the city being one of the most polluted in France, emphasizing the low number of social housing, only 12%.
He mentions the mismanagement of the outgoing mayor, “Christian Estrosi is lying. The debt is skyrocketing,” and doesn’t forget to point out that he has been denouncing the tunnel for 2 years while some “woke up only 6 months ago for the elections.” He claims that the kilometer of tramway in Nice is more expensive than in Dubai, with over 74 million euros. Robert Injey wants to stop the concreting of the Var plain to keep it green and hopes to create a hub for social and solidarity economy there.
He reveals that all rates (parking, etc.) will increase and that the outgoing mayor “is hiding it well.” He sees Estrosi’s ambition at the national level in 2017 and claims that the rest, “he doesn’t care much.”
The “people first” list brings a bit of “fresh air” because it plays collectively, as seen on the party’s posters, which is not the case with its competitors. Robert Injey sees his program as a local version of Jean-Luc Mรฉlenchon’s 2012 program. He concluded his speech by reminding that abstention would only benefit Estrosi and remains ambitious: “creating a surprise is possible if we all come together.”
Today at 4 PM, Place Massena, the Front de Gauche will hold a Bike parade (preferably in blue) and calls on all Nice residents to join them.
