The inauguration of the socialist office in Nice-West was an opportunity for Christophe Castaner to meet socialist activists and inject some vigor into a somewhat lackluster electoral campaign.
Certainly, it is not in the Alpes-Maritimes, the most right-leaning department in France, that the socialist candidate will find the necessary votes to succeed Michel Vauzelle; however, without making every occasion an event, one might expect a bit more dynamism.
The event also brought a lament over the announcement by the other left, that of the FdG and EELV, to present an alternative list in the first round with the sole ambition (unique?) of surpassing that of the socialists and their traditional allies (left-wing radicals, MRC).
There remains the question mark regarding the contribution of votes from the new party of dissident ecologists under the UDE label, which could shift a few points from one list to another.
“Whether we unite in the first round or the second doesn’t change this reality. I am ready to reconsider my lists until the end. This is what our citizens expect. Because I prefer a political agreement to one negotiated on the evening of the first round. It is also a democratic choice,” said the resigned candidate.
The recent controversy initiated by his opponent Christian Estrosi concerning the inadequacy of social housing in relation to the law has also caused turmoil in the socialist camp: “40% of the housing deficit is in PACA,” stated Christophe Castaner.
And he showed boldness: “If I am elected, I commit to building 48,000 additional housing units in the next three years.”
You will find this statement in the program that is expected to be presented in mid-October.
