Christian Estrosi’s wishes to the public officials of the city and the metropolitan area may turn sour and plunge into controversy, perhaps more?
Indeed, the “show” aspect had a “Nicewood” side that went beyond simple conviviality. But alas, in the relationship between politics and citizens, who are also voters, as should never be forgotten, the rules of marketing are imposed…
As history reminds us, “panem et circensis” is a formula that always works well. Moreover, in these gloomy times, with morale at its lowest, a double dose of “circenses” is strongly recommended.
It’s a shame because the “political” aspect of the evening, under the banner of the “republican force,” opened an interesting perspective and deserved a better follow-up than this shopkeeper’s quarrel over a mere expense, even if it was somewhat excessive.
It must be said that, this time, Christian Estrosi’s collaborators, probably still euphoric from the regional victory and in an effort to please their boss, lost a bit of their sense of proportion: enough to make the mayor of Nice appear as a Persian satrap.
Moreover, if, on the other hand, friend-rival Eric Ciotti has forsaken the staff’s New Year greetings in favor of a donation to the victims of the bad weather, it is easy to understand that the comparison doesn’t sit well!
To be continued…
Statement by Patrick ALLEMAND, Municipal Councilor of Nice and Metropolitan Councilor of Nice Côte d’Azur
Yesterday, I explained that I had attended the mayor’s greetings but not the “Flashdance” show because I firmly condemned the squandering of public funds on an overly costly show. I asked the mayor for transparency about the cost of the ceremony, which I estimated at 150,000 euros, a sum that already shocked me.
Unfortunately, I very largely underestimated the amount in question. The Nice City Hall concedes that the greeting ceremony cost 395,000 euros! The transparency, which I acknowledge, does not, however, exempt from political responsibility.
Nor from moral responsibility. It is indecent concerning the people of Nice, particularly the 10% among them who, victims of the crisis and in precarious situations, can no longer make ends meet. It is simply disrespecting them.
It is simply astonishing, unimaginable in the current crisis period.
