Nice-Premium: During the City Council meeting, Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, proposed the chairmanship of the tender commission to the municipal opposition, to the group “changer d’ère” (“change of era”), led by Patrick Allemand, who accepted this proposition. Christian Estrosi hopes this will put an end to the “affairs” in Nice. What do you think of this decision?
Jean-Christophe Picard: In principle, we approve of the enhancement of the role of the municipal opposition proposed by Christian Estrosi and accepted by Patrick Allemand. The PS, PCF, and Greens list is thus entrusted with the chairmanship of two significant commissions (finance and tender) and will sit in the Nice Côte d’Azur Agglomeration Community as well as in Côte d’Azur Habitat and Semiacs.
We would have liked, however, for all elements of the negotiation to be made public. In this spirit, it would have been appropriate to announce the effects of this decision on the amount of compensation for the opposition elected officials, especially those called to sit on the Canca (whose allowances would increase from 224 € to 1,271 €). In our view, any agreement between the majority and the opposition should be made in complete transparency.
Bruno Della Sudda: This is in line with signals sent by Patrick Allemand and statements he made just after being elected, claiming to be a part of “constructive opposition” and wishing the success of the new mayor of Nice.
Sitting vigilantly on committees with the aim of citizen oversight is the duty of a worthy opposition. However, leading a committee as the opposition is something else! The connivance is clear, and it marks a break with the resolute opposition of Nice-Plurielle (Alternatifs, PCF, PS, Verts) to J. Peyrat throughout the previous term.
NP: For you, is this decision a guarantee of integrity and transparency?
Jean-Christophe Picard: It is undeniably a step in the right direction.
But it should be noted that the rigorous Jean-François Knecht has disappeared and has not been replaced. The other members of his group haven’t shown the same command of the issues as he did, and it is feared that mere opposition control will not be enough to prevent malpractices and the waste of public money.
We therefore hope that the tools of participatory democracy will also be strengthened so that all citizens can evaluate municipal action while being involved in decisions.
Bruno Della Sudda: It is neither. It is just a manipulation by the right, which the list “changer d’ère” has joined, which is serious. It is quite safe to bet that the same old tricks, cronyism, and affairs will continue, circumventing the tender commission…
NP: The opposition will also be present at the Canca. Is it a symbol of openness or a real opening?
Jean-Christophe Picard: It is not satisfactory that the opposition’s presence at the Canca depends on the majority’s discretion. It is particularly abnormal that the Entente Républicaine list, which obtained 25% of the votes, has no representation there. Christian Estrosi has thus, with disregard for universal suffrage, awarded himself the right to choose which opposition he wants to work with; this is unacceptable!
We recall that the list “Nice Arc-en-ciel” (Modem, PRG, and MEI) had proposed transforming the current “community of agglomeration” into an “urban community,” which would allow all opposition elected officials to sit by full right (the community councilors being appointed by proportional representation).
Bruno Della Sudda: It is correct from a democratic perspective that the opposition sits at the CANCA: there is neither favor nor openness, but simply the application of a basic republican principle. However, will it truly be an opposition to the right? Time will tell, but the complicity of the list “changer d’ère” with the right concerning the chairmanship of two municipal council commissions does not encourage thinking it will!
