Even if the only real change is the new sign at the entrance (with UDI replacing Nouveau Centre), Rudy Salles, who is the departmental coordinator (while the party awaits structuring and formalizing its internal hierarchy), gathered officials and activists to celebrate this new formation in French politics.
But, while party president Jean-Louis Borloo seeks to be bold in the face of a governance crisis within UMP, declaring, “the only credible opposition is us!” and already dreaming of becoming the leader of the main center-right party (and the prime minister of a center-right government?), Rudy Salles is taking a cautious approach. It is no coincidence that his guest of honor was none other than the UMP Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, to whom he publicly renewed his loyalty.
So, to be clear, there will not be a centrist candidacy in the first round of the next municipal election as might have been thought, but rather a simple alliance, likely with a few UDI candidates in eligible positions.
That said, Rudy Salles also wanted to recall the memory of the UDF, which played a central role in the French political landscape of the 70s and 80s before successive developments and changes such as the Modem and the Nouveau Centre.
Today, united under this new banner with a true number one (more media-friendly than effective according to commentators), the UDI envisions a great future that is for now only promising: The center pillar that adds to the other from the right (UMP) for a center-right majority. The forecast is as simple as it is beautiful, but what will the reality be?
While on a national level one might possibly imagine an “independent” party, considering the local situation and the strong hold of local baronies (even more so than that of UMP 06) in political life, the prognosis is quite simple: the UDI more “democrat” than “independent,” let’s say just enough… but not more.
Because in politics, ideas are beautiful, but votes count…
