Patrick Allemand turns the page on regional politics after the December election turned into a nightmare: no more socialists in the assembly, and therefore no seat for him, who had been there for 18 years.
“I admit to a deep emotion when I left my office for the last time. For me, it meant putting an end to so many years of commitment,” he said at the start of his wishes to the press.
Yes, withdrawing before the second round to block the FN was an act with significant consequences. “A difficult decision to make, but one I do not regret. The Republicans and the National Front are our political competitors, but they are not the same thing. All the more, I do not regret our withdrawal. The left remains voiceless? We won’t have the right to an official voice, but that won’t stop us from expressing ourselves,” he continued before delving into controversy: “Moreover, it’s surprising that those who criticized this choice (editor’s note: the FdG/Green list), are the same ones who criticize the socialist government by labeling it as ‘Vichy’. But in PACA, they would have preferred to let the FN win…. Isn’t that an obvious lack of political culture?”
The sharp criticism towards former allies requires clarification: “We governed the region until the end in collaboration with the left-wing and ecological elected officials. At the same time, they were in an electoral campaign against the socialists for national reasons, except wanting to merge their list with ours in the second round. Tell me where is the coherence and what can our voters understand from it.”
So what is the winning formula?: “I remain in favor of a union of the left or lefts from the first round to create a clear offer to the voters and generate momentum. Afterward, the merger of the lists in the second round fuels confusion and is more negative than positive.”
A whistle to the ears of certain high flyers in thought and intricate tactics seen in action during this last electoral campaign?
Patrick Allemand’s political future will be refocused locally, on the town hall and the Metropolis, the assemblies where he is elected and retains the role of president of the opposition group Another Future for Nice (PS, PRG, EE-LV): “I will not run in a national election in 2017,” he specified, addressing potential rumors on the subject.
Similarly, he will leave Xavier Garcia the responsibility of managing the PS, which needs significant reform if it wants to reclaim the role it should hold as the main local opposition party; Today we are far from that, with an impressive advance of the FN and the grip of Christian Estrosi and his team on the city and the metropolis.
Indeed, the task ahead is extensive and clearly in need of vibrant forces and new faces.
Patrick Allemand knows he will have to shift gears if he wants to have weight in political action: being the watchdog and critical conscience of Christian Estrosi and his majority requires that this grand ambition be followed by actions, which in turn require a significant organization.
For now, we can only note his words: “I will make an opposition with a constructive spirit, but without concession.”
With, however, a hint: “Now that I no longer have institutional obligations, my words will be freer in content and expression.”
We await what comes next…
