The Republicans, who for years have been going from one electoral defeat to another, are still a party or a collection of factions where everyone is primarily seeking their current political position (as for the future… there are fewer certainties).
Since the calamitous election campaign for the European elections and the catastrophic result that followed, the party leaders—now without a compass—are trying to understand how to stay on course, or at least avoid going off track.
Gerard Larcher, President of the Senate, is among them. A round character in politics, he has started a pilgrimage to listen to the voices of local officials who still remain the anchor point of power and to rally them around the party, before they depart, some towards the right tempted by the idea of a right-wing alliance, some towards the centrist movement, and others playing the card of an independent list.
The municipal elections are around the corner and the tremors, coupled with ambitions and personal quarrels, are beginning to appear.
Yesterday it was Nice’s turn, on the home ground of the Macron-compliant Christian Estrosi, in the crosshairs of the orthodox Eric Ciotti, a key ally of Laurent Wauquiez before his resignation from the presidency of LR.
With protocol easily turning into propaganda, Christian Estrosi was able to highlight his theories on promoting local administrators: “Local officials are best placed to embody this defense of the general interest and the overcoming of divisions. The only people mayors have to account to are their constituents. Our citizens can no longer stand factional disputes.”
Moreover, who better than him, who wears the triple hats of mayor, metropolitan president, and regional deputy president (Renaud Muselier’s presence testifies to the restored alliance between Nice and Marseille and the good distribution of funds), is legitimate to discuss and exemplify this?
The visit began with a bit of window-shopping of the equipment and achievements of recent years (welcome at the enlarged and renovated airport, the second in France, then a tram ride to the city center… tunnel required, a walk to the town hall via the Paillon promenade, an ecological touch) before meeting local officials (the new keyword): “I am honored to once again welcome Gerard Larcher alongside senators, deputies, mayors, metropolitan and municipal councilors, and figures from the associative and economic sectors. Gathering is an essential value for us here.”
No longer in the scent of heresy, Christian Estrosi took the floor at the Regional Convention of the Right and Center initiated by Gerard Larcher, Renaud Muselier, and Jean Leonetti, interim president of LR, “to discuss the importance of gathering in our political family to once again become a real alternative for the French.”
