The political season is set to begin with the Campus in Nice organized by Christian Estrosi next weekend. In principle, it should allow the next generation to debate the future of politics and the party, but in reality, it will serve as a platform for more personal ambitions.
Someone thought that this event would offer Nicolas Sarkozy the opportunity to make his grand return to active political life (which, in reality, he never abandoned, except in form), but that’s not happening; the narcissistic former president will deprive the Nice stage of his presence.
On the other hand, it will be an opportunity for Christian Estrosi to confirm, or not, his candidacy in the right-wing primary (scheduled for 2016) for the 2017 presidential election. In any case, the Mayor of Nice will not miss the chance to make his voice heard on the national stage.
There are still some doubts about his genuine willingness to go all the way, especially in the case of Nicolas Sarkozy’s return to active politics and, in fact, what his role would be in this specific case.
Moreover, his behavior thus far has been rather erratic, and all options are possible: Trailblazer for the former president of the Republic waiting for his final decision? Future squire to the would-be king?
Or a bold captain decided to play the game in his own name in the upcoming electoral competition against the already declared candidates, Alain Juppé and François Fillon (plus Xavier Bertrand…)?
The dilemma remains unanswered and the explanations are still very vague: Christian Estrosi has said he could withdraw his candidacy in favor of Nicolas Sarkozy but only if he accepts the principles and ideas he holds dear.
Isn’t that a baseless condition, considering the super-ego of Sarkozy, which makes him allergic to any idea that isn’t his own?
And then, when the Mayor of Nice refers to “his ideas founded on Gaullist thought,” what is the basis of that, beyond a well-sounding slogan that corresponds to no doctrinal body?
That said, his candidacy wouldn’t lack assets. First of all, because of his first-rate curriculum, be it in terms of local experiences and responsibilities or parliamentary and ministerial ones. Then, for the undeniable personal capacities for commitment so necessary in political life, which, let us not forget, is also an everyday struggle.
In these times when citizens have growing distrust towards a political class that looks like a caste, when globalization makes the foundations of our communal life unstable, a response capable of giving confidence and hope is needed.
It can only come from people on the ground who have proven themselves and shown they can understand people’s expectations and needs and master the complexity of global politics: One might call him the “Mayor of the Republic.”
A man of conviction and action, Christian Estrosi undoubtedly has this profile. It would be a shame, and in our view, a mistake, if he had to renounce for unjustified loyalty to Nicolas Sarkozy in case of…
But, if recognition is not of this world – as the Gospel teaches us – then why would Christian Estrosi be indebted to “friend Sarkozy”?
For having brought him the highest percentage of votes at the departmental level in the 2007 and 2012 presidential elections?
For having been replaced as Minister of Industry in the Fillon III government by a certain Eric Besson?
Answer next Sunday at the Théâtre de Verdure.
