Hervé de Surville, candidate (Union for Nice-Republican Harmony-Stand Up for the Republic) for the 12th canton, wishes proximity, humanity, and fraternity for the people of Nice and their canton. A vast program for a candidate who refuses fatalism.
“I was born in Nice, I live in Nice, and I love my city. My engagement in politics is an act of love for my city,” says this candidate who is not afraid of strong convictions and words to express them.
Nice Premium: Would you like to introduce yourself to our voters?
Hervé de Surville: I am a man of dialogue, tenacious and determined. I am 50 years old, married with two children. I grew up in Nice, studied in Nice, work in Nice, and live in Nice.
N-P: What are your hobbies outside politics?
HdS: Hiking, hunting, martial arts, parachuting, and swimming.
N-P: What motivated your involvement in politics?
HdS: After 30 years of active activism, I decided to serve the public interest through an elected position as a general councillor and to offer a constructive alternative of a republican and social right, supported by the Union for Nice, the Republican Harmony, Stand Up for the Republic, and the Republican Party.
N-P: What is your academic and professional background?
HdS: I hold a State Doctorate in Public Law and am a graduate of the European Institute of Advanced International Studies, the Institute of Advanced Studies of Internal Security, and the Institute of Higher National Defense Studies.
I am a recipient of the National Order of Merit, the Academic Palms, the Agricultural Merit, the Youth and Sports Medal, and the National Defense Medal.
After spending over 20 years at the Nice City Hall in various senior management positions where I acquired extensive experience, I left the City Hall.
N-P: Why are you a candidate in this election?
HdS: I am a candidate because I refuse fatalism, cynicism, and imposture.
I chose the 12th canton for several reasons. I learned to love this canton when I worked with Charles Erhman, who was for a very long time the deputy of the 1st district, which notably includes the 12th canton. Moreover, I count many friends there. Finally, it is a canton that feels abandoned and needs a present, effective, and humane general councillor.
N-P: Can you tell us the main points of your program:
HdS: The 12th canton needs proximity, humanity, and fraternity.
My program is based on two pillars:
– improving the living environment (security and cleanliness, public transport, noise control, traffic and parking, housing, poverty alleviation),
– fostering community spirit (sports and culture, social and health services, urban ecology, local facilities, events).
N-P: What are your views on politics in general:
HdS: I believe that politics is an ethical vision with a conviction of society.
Rejection of the accumulation of mandates and financial waste, respect for one’s word.
N-P: What are your thoughts on the political situation in Nice?
HdS: I refuse the self-persuasion and self-congratulation of the Mayor and the First Deputy.
I denounce the imposture of claiming what was initiated and programmed by the former Mayor.
N-P: Any predictions on your part?
HdS: After the failure of the regional elections in March 2010 in Nice, it seems that the cantonal elections of March 2011 will be a repeat.
In no way will the municipal majority achieve a landslide victory as Christian Estrosi has been loudly proclaiming for several weeks.
