He had created a surprise by distancing himself from Nicolas Sarkozy, to whom he is nevertheless very close, by stating that “the more we lean to the right, the more we boost the FN,” whereas the former President of the Republic, a supporter of the “neither-nor” stance, criticized him (as well as Xavier Bertrand) for thanking the left for their withdrawal, claiming that even in the case of triangular contests, the two right-wing candidates would have won.
Yesterday in the speech delivered after his election, Christian Estrosi went even further: “I will be a free President who manages the Region without ideology or bias.”
In fact, if words are followed by actions, here is a pragmatic and inclusive Christian Estrosi, open to compromise, in contrast to the directive, somewhat demagogic-populist leader we know.
A pleasant surprise, the first expression of his campaign slogan “things will change”? Indeed, one would have never thought that the first to implement it would be himself.
The electoral campaign in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) will be one to remember: a right-wing president elected thanks to votes from the left.
His final act took place this Friday, December 18, in Marseille.
As soon as he was elected, Christian Estrosi received from the hands of his socialist predecessor Michel Vauzelle his blood and gold sash, in the colors of Provence. “A republican gesture” praised by the new President of PACA,
Christian Estrosi made a point of “saluting those who chose not to sit here and encouraging others to rally behind republican ideals.”
The left, which had governed the region for 17 years (1998-2015), no longer has any representatives on the regional council.
The new PACA President confirmed his intention to create a consultative “territorial council,” “where those who do not sit can have their say,” and a “council of elders,” bringing together former regional presidents, Messrs. Vauzelle, Gaudin, and Pezet.
This council will be tasked with formulating proposals that will be debated in the assembly beginning in the first quarter of 2016.
On the Front National side, Marion Maréchal Le Pen, who, for her first time in the regional chamber, sat in seat 121, the one occupied by her grandfather Jean-Marie Le Pen, questioned the legality of this territorial council.
Then, she announced their stance: “We will be a technical and political opposition,” she specified. “We will vote for what seems right to us, as we do in all assemblies.”
By the way, it is worth noting that Olivier Bettati from Nice will be one of the two Vice-Presidents of the group.
The regional assembly elected its 14 Vice-presidents: confirmed as the number two of the Region, 1st Vice-President Renaud Muselier, and also included are two people from the Maritime Alps: the 4th Vice-President will be Françoise Bruneteaux, deputy mayor of Cannes, and the 11th, Philippe Tabarot, brother of Michèle, deputy mayor of Le Cannet.
The occasion to restore some peace in the internal rivalries within the right in the west of the department.
