Jacques Victor will run for a third term in the 3rd canton of Nice, a sociologically popular canton composed of the Riquier and Saint Roch neighborhoods. Jacques Victor has been serving on the General Council for 13 years (elections of 2004 and 2008) and will face his main opponent, the UMP candidate, Philippe Rossini, an association manager (his deputy being Micheline Baus), both of whom are described as a “curious pairing of flip-flopping candidates for the sake of a bad cause,” before posing a caustic question as a conclusion… “Are the chameleons landing in Riquier-St Roch?”
“We have known Philippe Rossini as a socialist, then as an ardent propagandist of Jรฉrรดme Riviรจre, a former far-right deputy, and a fierce opponent to his replacement by Eric Ciotti. He did not mince his words in stigmatizing the one whose colors he wears today. Then came Bayrou’s centrist temptation. And finally, he could not resist the call from the UMP, the party that every day furthers misery, poverty, exclusion, precariousness. Moreover, it does not seem to bother him in his association responsibilities, where the damages of the policy he defends are mitigated. Firefighter and arsonist at the same time?”
“As for his deputy, Micheline Baus, we will remember that she was the assistant, then the first assistant of Jacques Peyrat, who made her his close collaborator before she joined Christian Estrosi at the Nice City Hall. Such ingratitude! And such a loss of memory towards the one with whom she is now fighting alongside, who back then did not have words harsh enough for her.”
NP: You are an outgoing general councilor who has been elected twice already. Would you like to assess your activity within the departmental assembly?
Jacques Victor: I have always opposed the politics and management of our city and department by the Estrosi-Ciotti duo by rejecting prestige projects and media stunts when proximity needs continue to remain unmet. I have also always condemned their acceptance of charges transferred by the State, which local taxpayers are then called to pay on its behalf.
NP: Why are you running once again?
JV: To strongly say no to this new law on local governments that will financially dry up the municipalities and departments to better eliminate them. A law that will remove local representatives and distance decision-makers as far from citizens as possible. In this department, there is an oppressive UMP majority that holds all powers and constantly decides without considering or even informing the populations.
NP: Do you think this election will also serve as a test for national politics?
JV: This election will be an opportunity to condemn the Sarkozy regime and its local supporters who, every day, make life harsher for the French sacrificed for private and financial interests. Enough is enough!
For our country, building a real progressive alternative is essential. This election must contribute to it.
NP: Your proposals for local policy…
JV: Our city and department need a policy that primarily considers the needs of modest families, youth, small businesses, and the elderly.
NP: Your forecast…
JV: I am optimistic!
