Rudy Salles initially declared in September that he would run alone for the 2008 municipal elections. He further specified that he was ready to talk with the Secretary of State for Overseas Territories about a joint list. Well, he did more than just talk as he is now joining Christian Estrosi’s candidacy.
This situation delights the Vice-President of the National Assembly: “We grew up together in Nice’s political life, with clear commitments on the political front, and we have always respected each other. We have found more points of convergence than disagreement, especially on the fact that what matters above all is the future of Nice.” This viewpoint is shared by the President of the General Council: “Nice together must embody hope beyond personal selfishness. Belonging to this or that camp is of little importance, especially as we must not be misled about what is essential. With Rudy, we have never had a cross word. Compromise is therefore not a bad word.” This alliance is still surprising when remembering that they supported opposing candidates during last May’s presidential election.
The situation has obviously changed today, as Rudy Salles now defends the colors of the New Centre, that is, the presidential majority, and no longer those of the former UDF, now Modem, Franรงois Bayrou’s party. Rudy Salles specifies that he remains “friends with the president of the Modem even if we have different political opinions and that the party in Nice does not exist.” This is a jab at his former comrades, which doesn’t seem to affect Christian Estrosi’s future running mate. He prefers to focus on two important points, the unity of citizens, and the CANCA.
This second topic was frequently discussed during the press conference by both speakers. They often repeated that there must be “an openness with the opposition in the agglomeration for more transparency.” Meanwhile, the Secretary of State for Overseas Territories revealed that he would remain “respectful of the legitimacy of each of the twenty-three mayors of the CANCA by appointing no one to be president since everyone has a chance.”
Today, Christian Estrosi “wants to rebuild the city of (his) childhood with respect for others in order to promote the same humanistic values that exist with Rudy Salles.” This fight will lead him until March 9th, not the 8th as he believed. A struggle that appears to be a foregone conclusion for the UMP candidate, who wants to open his list to people who belong to no political formation, according to the poll published today, which gives him 47% of the votes despite one in two people from Nice not having chosen their candidate. His reaction is very clear: “No comment. Do you think it is possible that the left-wing candidates would only have a total of 19%? I don’t.”
