The socialists propose “a simpler alternative” for parking.

The parking reform is designed to fuel controversies: while everyone agrees on the principle of instilling a bit of order to smooth out a situation where indiscipline is the norm and carelessness is the watchword, the rest…

The municipal majority has devised a minor reform, applied since January 15, which alternates a few “stick” measures (fines increased from 300 to 1,000) and a few “carrot” measures (one hour of free parking).

Contentious issues remain, allowing some to capitalize on people’s reactions, who judge based on their personal convenience: when discussing particular or general interest, the prophetic words of philosopher François Guichardin—or Guicciardini (in Italian, Francesco Guicciardini, born March 6, 1483, in Florence – died May 22, 1540, in Arcetri, a Florentine historian, philosopher, diplomat, and politician of the 16th century), theorist of “particularism,” come to mind, for whom, in the face of particular interests, all ideals fade since particularism is the art of living: every man for himself, against all.

In a press briefing with two other socialist municipal councilors, Christine Dorejo and Paul Cuturello, Patrick Allemand advocated for the many citizens, especially professionals and merchants, who feel penalized by the new municipal provisions in their daily lives and, in some cases, denounce them as an aggravation of their business.

The main dysfunction is the limit on paid parking duration to 2 hours and 15 minutes, backed by complainants’ examples straight out of Guichardin’s prophecies: insufficient time for ladies to complete highlights at the hairdresser; the necessity for professional office staff to leave their workstation to move the car; difficulty finishing an evening post-cinema or show with a drink or a meal, etc.

Extending this limit to 4 hours would accommodate everyone’s convenience. As for parking fluidity… that’s another question!

Two remarks seem better focused logically: the unification of pricing to 10 cents every 5 minutes instead of the existing rate grid that “flexibilizes” prices based on time following the theory of flows (which is good, but it should be better explained for it to be understood), and the redefinition of the parking map between “resident” and “merchant” in the 13 city sectors.

Lacking political weight, the opposition leader will play the card of the very trendy “bastian contrari” citizen in the city: a petition will allow people to express themselves on this subject and, in case of success, to put pressure for the demanded changes to take place.