They were not too many, a good hundred, but very cheerful for their candidate’s success.
Local supporters of Emmanuel Macron had arranged to meet in a public venue (which is in keeping with their status: aren’t “marchers” supposed to be “itinerant”?).
Victory was in the air and the official announcement was celebrated with contained enthusiasm.
Khaled ben Abderrahmane (one of the departmental leaders) recalled the moments of the presentation in the lounge of a hotel of what was then still just an initiative.
Richard Perrin, the territorial delegate, spoke about the progress made, asking: “where were we 8 months ago?”
Patrick Allemand, (one foot in this new movement, the other still in the Socialist Party), who had called to vote for Macron already in the first round, did not hide his satisfaction: “yes, the FN has significantly increased its votes but it failed; so if when it breaks its record, it loses …” the conclusion was self-evident.
The designated candidate in the 1st constituency, Caroline Reverso, showed all her youthful enthusiasm (she is a 31-year-old lawyer) for the battle that will oppose her to one of the barons of local politics, Eric Ciotti.
In short, the “new momentum” proclaimed and called for by the new President of the Republic had already had a contagious effect on his disciples in Nice.
The adventure has just begun, and if the march is to continue, it is best done with lightheartedness and optimism.
