The State is searching for land to relocate the ROMA who are illegally squatting on the banks of the Var. Land has been identified in the Saint-Isidore district, some of which belongs to the City of Nice and EDF (former allotment gardens).
This hypothesis has alerted the inhabitants of this area who, through neighborhood associations, have alerted the Mayor of Nice, who didn’t hesitate to react, advocating for his constituents.
“Thousands of families are waiting for housing (10,000 files in progress) and tens of thousands of people are looking for work. The new Government measures lead to giving preference to people who expropriate private property, an inalienable right attached to the French Republic,” he said during a press briefing.
Then he accused the Ayrault government of complicity: “The messages sent from Paris are irresponsible: Rather than curbing the phenomenon and reminding these people and the networks supporting them that France is not an Eldorado that can welcome ‘all the world’s misery,’ the announcements by the Government of Jean-Marc Ayrault encourage the networks to expand and multiply. The Government’s message is clear: ‘Come to France, seize private property, and the State will find you housing and a job!’”
Finally: “The State must take responsibility, and I will oppose any requisition by any lawful means in the administrative courts. I stand by your side in this fight.”
While it is understandable that the attitude of the residents of these neighborhoods, who in good faith apply the phrase “not in my backyard,” preferring for certain inconveniences to be someone else’s responsibility (altruism has its limits!), Christian Estrosi’s position seems frankly excessive.
Instead of beating the drums of war (but against whom?), waving the red flag, and calling ordinary people to fight the bad guys, it would be more responsible to seek a balanced solution, taking into account the particularly complex context governed by community ordinances.
Limiting oneself to criticizing the government for “inviting” the Roms to come to France is an easy demagoguery that serves only to present a good image to voting citizens. But this does not advance the issue one bit and serves strictly no purpose other than providing a clear conscience. Managing such a delicate issue requires a much greater sense of responsibility.
Is it too much to ask that the authorities work towards a peaceful democracy through relationships of trust between citizens and institutions?
The prefecture also published this statement: “The strict application of the laws of the Republic must not exclude any humanity in dealing with the situation of people in distress. This is why an identification of vacant buildings and land, likely to temporarily and in a very controlled manner, accommodate families with certain guarantees of integration, is underway. No decision has been made in this regard to date, and any selected solution would first be discussed with the concerned communities.”
Photo credit: ©City of Nice
