The socialists in the Côte d’Azur region have overwhelmingly supported her, and this Friday, Ségolène Royal herself will come to thank them during a meeting which, to the surprise of some activists, will take place in a neighborhood of Nice known as St Roch, recognized for its strong left-wing identity, and in the Leyrit hall which still echoes of great boxing fights and high-level basketball matches.
The presidential campaign is well underway and the city of Nice along with the Côte d’Azur will again be the same stronghold difficult for the left to capture as in 2002, but since the last municipal election, the people of Nice have shown a new interest in the politics of the local Socialist Party, which has become plural out of necessity. It has been 33 years since a presidential candidate wandered into the suburbs of Marseille and even if the day before, Ségolène Royal will try to energize the Dôme of the Provencal capital, this time she pushes into a capital of the Côte d’Azur that had been endlessly waiting.
After Philippe de Villiers, François Bayrou, and while waiting for Nicolas Sarkozy and Jean-Marie Le Pen, the 2007 presidential election finally allowed presidential candidates to discover that there was a department beyond the Bouches-du-Rhône and the people of Nice are not complaining about this.
Nice Premium spoke to Patrick Allemand, Vice-President of the PACA Regional Council, who presents this unique meeting!
Nice Premium: Patrick Allemand, how is the organization of Ségolène Royal’s meeting in Nice going?
Patrick Allemand: The arrival of Ségolène Royal in Nice is being prepared amidst great excitement.
The team at the heart of the organization is sparing neither time nor energy to make this meeting a great celebration for all those who will come to see her.
Nice has not had a visit from a Socialist candidate for 33 years! It’s truly an exceptional event.
So, around this organization, there is a lot of work, a lot of stress, but also great emotion and immense joy. People are happy, so are the activists.
NP: Why opt for a smaller hall (Leyrit hall) rather than the Palais Nikaïa?
PA: Indeed, an initial date had been selected by the national campaign management for April 11 at Nikaïa.
Scheduling constraints prevented Ségolène Royal from keeping this date. Therefore, we had to find another. March 23 was chosen, as she will be in our region from the day before. As you may know, a major regional meeting will take place on Thursday, March 22 at the Dôme in Marseille.
Consequently, not only the date, but also the spirit of her visit to Nice has been changed. It was the wish of the national campaign management not to repeat the same thing twice in a row. Having a large meeting the day before, we were asked to organize a gathering in a type of gymnasium or sports hall which allows more intimacy.
The choice of Leyrit hall imposed itself, as it is the one with the largest capacity (2,500 people), and giant screens are also planned outside so that as many people as possible can enjoy this exceptional and awaited visit.
The Leyrit hall is located in the heart of the eastern quarters, which are popular areas but also the historical cradle of the Nice left. They are important symbols.
Other candidates go to Nikaïa, that’s their choice. As for her, her choice is elsewhere and that’s better.
NP: What do you think of this presidential campaign?
PA: It’s a difficult campaign sure. Everything is done to confuse the issues, to cast doubt.
The campaign has never been so publicized, we see an increase in polls, it doesn’t make much sense anymore.
French citizens need to be particularly attentive and clear-sighted to make their choice with serenity. I am convinced that in the end, they will be.
Ségolène Royal stays the course, as she has always done. Her campaign is different, she continues to innovate.
As I just indicated about the reasons for choosing Leyrit Hall, she is conducting an innovative and original campaign.
It’s really a closeness campaign. She continues as she has done from the start with the participative debates, to really meet everyone. This isn’t just talk, the proof, she insisted on coming to us and she’s the first in 33 years…!
