A lawyer at the Nice bar since 1968, Municipal Councillor, General Councillor, Regional Councillor, Deputy, Senator, Mayor from 1995 to 2008, Founding President of the CANCA (Agglomeration Community), Jacques Peyrat covered throughout his political career all possible elective and institutional positions.
After being sidelined and then defeated by Christian Estrosi in 2008, the former mayor of Nice tried, unsuccessfully, to become an elected official again during the cantonal and legislative elections.
On the occasion of the 2014 municipal election, he presents himself (currently) alone, accompanied by his loyal supporters from the Republican Entente and the Party for France, after having (perhaps?) hoped to be the head of the FN list.
Nice Premium: You are a candidate in the upcoming municipal election. In one word: Why?
Jacques Peyrat: To bring the voice of experience and reason in face of the waste and demagogy of the outgoing mayor. But also to finish the work started in 1995 and not yet completed, including tram lines 2 and 3 at the surface level rather than underground.
Nice Premium: What are the three main campaign axes and, in fact, your three inherent projects to them?
Jacques Peyrat: The tram lines 2 and 3 on the surface, proximity (safety and cleanliness), and hilly roads.
Nice Premium: An election also includes opponents. How do you assess yours?
Jacques Peyrat: I don’t have to assess anyone. I believe in the necessity of another path of reason against the dictates of Parisian political parties.
Nice Premium: The most urgent issue in the city is…
Jacques Peyrat: Addressing transport, traffic, and parking problems with the surface-level tram lines 2 and 3 accompanied by deterrent parking, but also reducing the massive debt and demagogic taxation.
Nice Premium: What will be your schedule until March 23 and what will be your major appointments?
Jacques Peyrat: A daily proximity campaign with the people of Nice, but also a systematic presence on various social networks.
Nice Premium: We are on the evening of the first round. In what position do you imagine yourself?
Jacques Peyrat: Present in the second round with a large coalition list.
Nice Premium: There’s a lot of talk about the rise of extremes, what’s your opinion on this subject?
Jacques Peyrat: The UMP for the right and the PS for the left having been completely discredited in recent years, the rise of other forms of political expression is inevitable. It is regrettable that in Nice, the National Front opted for parachuting.
Nice Premium: You will be a happy candidate if and only if…
Jacques Peyrat: We succeed in removing the outgoing team and return to the mayor’s office with a team that prioritizes the general interest and not personal interest, with values of loyalty, integrity, and availability.
