Nice Première: What is your feeling after the three debates?
Dominique Boy Mottard: On the general feeling, I believe we were all a bit frustrated by the lack of a real debate between the candidates: they spoke very little to each other (the first televised debate was extremely caricatured in this regard). Putting myself in the shoes of a non-socialist viewer, it must have seemed a bit boring. Personally, I would have preferred something a bit less ‘framed’. But perhaps there would have been slip-ups?
That being said, at least each candidate had the opportunity to highlight the themes they prioritized, and ultimately, the characteristics of each are quite well delineated.
NP: How would you analyze each candidate’s performance in a few words?
DBM: No matter which candidate one has chosen, there’s always an element of subjectivity. So this will probably be the case for me too, inevitably…
I felt that all three responded according to the level of responsibility they held: Ségolène Royal as a Regional President, Dominique Strauss-Kahn as a Minister, Laurent Fabius as a Head of Government.
In your opinion, which role best prepares someone to be President of the Republic?
NP: Were you surprised by any of the candidates?
DBM: I believe two candidates presented themselves very differently from the third, willing to genuinely answer questions in depth, thus proving their competence on most of the topics discussed (which is likely normal given their experience in high-responsibility positions). Ségolène Royal seemed nervous, not always very comfortable (refusing to answer questions), and even occasionally appeared aggressive.
NP: Do you think a second round will be necessary to elect the Socialist candidate for the Presidential election?
DBM: There has been no reliable survey among PS members to answer this question. And since I don’t read tea leaves…
Finally, what will you do on the day of the member vote?
DBM: I will vote because I am an activist.
