Nice-Premium: You have been re-elected as a deputy. What feelings prevailed upon learning the results for the third district of Alpes-Maritimes?
Rudy Salles: A feeling of gratitude toward the voters who wanted to confirm their choice from the May 6 last but also those who gave me their trust overwhelmingly from the first round. It’s a moment of great emotion.
NP: This is not your first election… what has changed since your first term as a deputy?
RS: The problems of France and the world have grown heavier. The situation of our country has deteriorated and the world’s balance is fragile. Moreover, we encounter many of our fellow citizens in difficulties. We are constantly seeking to resolve challenging situations.
NP: You belong to the presidential majority, unlike in 2002. Will Deputy Rudy Salles of 2007 be different from that of 2002? How will he express his opposition to the government?
RS: Jacques Chirac did not want to undertake the openness that Nicolas Sarkozy proposes. This was a mistake because it is necessary to have the ability to unite. This time I am in the majority, and I feel comfortable there because everyone can express themselves and contribute to the Government’s work. I do not have to express opposition to the Government since I am part of the majority. However, I am here to encourage it when the decisions are correct and to warn it when some decisions are not understood by our citizens. For example, if the previous government had listened to us, we could have avoided the mistake of the CPE. I know that Nicolas Sarkozy listens to the Parliamentarians, which is very positive.
NP: Terms like “Tsunami,” “Blue Wave,” and “surge” are being used. Which term(s) do you think best describe the very high score of the UMP in the 577 French districts and the 9 from Azur?
RS: For nearly 20 years that I have been sitting in the National Assembly, Alpes-Maritimes have almost always given 9 out of 9 deputies to the right and center-right. So, this is a confirmation and even an amplification since this time 7 deputies out of 9 were elected in the first round. For the rest of the country, it is a result that confirms the presidential elections. That is good.
NP: There will be two second rounds on Sunday. In the 1st and the 8th, a dissenting candidacy (Jérôme Rivière and Henry Leroy) prevented a clean sweep. What do you think about this and how will you support Eric Ciotti and Bernard Brochand?
RS: I naturally support them since they are the majority’s candidates. They are very close to the goal, so I believe they will win.
NP: What is your calendar as a deputy? What laws do you hope to vote on very quickly, and on which local cases are you working?
RS: I am going to Paris today (note: Tuesday) and will resume parliamentary work. We will sit throughout July. There will be “on the menu” laws on security and immigration. Regarding local cases, we will need to accelerate projects like the realisation of the Côte d’Azur TGV for example.
