Patrick Allemand, the vice-president of the region, and Xavier Garcia, the party spokesperson, are present. As for the activists, a few of them have made the trip for 8 PM, the time of the televised national results. Despite a TV set that isn’t working and a technician who doesn’t seem to care, the activists remain enthusiastic.
Some are joking about the outcome of the match between the Olympiques, Lyonnais and Marseillais, which seems more important than the result of the regional elections. At 8:00 PM, it is the radio that they finally manage to get working with the help of an iPhone at the HQ.
Michel Vauzelle remains president of the PACA region
“The results in PACA now, it’s Vauzelle who will remain president in this region.” The journalist’s announcement is immediately met with exclamations and applause from the militants delighted with this victory.
Florian and Jacques, two members of the MJS, Movement of Young Socialists, express their satisfaction: “our action paid off, people dare to show that they are fed up with the government.”
With 44% of the votes, it is a region conquered for the Socialist Party. Patrick Allemand congratulates himself on this vote which is “in continuity with 2004.” The next challenge now is the Alpes-Maritimes department. And the estimates show the two major parties neck and neck.
A partial victory nonetheless
The vice-president hopes that the results will make them victorious this time. Because in 2004, the UMP had won the department with 50 more votes than the PS. But the final results are no more encouraging than in the last regional elections. The UMP is once again in the lead with 38.86%, just one point more than the socialist left party.
But tonight, the celebration will not be spoiled, and the Nice socialists exult: “The next step is the Nice mayoralty then the presidency of the Republic.”
