In the “mare magnum” of the UMP, which is trying to emerge from the murky waters of a 2012 internal election and successive financial management, both fraudulent, each protagonist takes a position and places their pieces for the battles to come.
Without a genuine political direction or a leadership recognized, if not unanimously, then at least by a large majority, we are witnessing the arming of troops by different barons and other captains of fortune.
Autumn promises to be hot…
Christian Estrosi couldn’t fail to be involved after announcing his candidacy in the 2016 right-wing primary.
In fact, he left the door open to rallying behind Nicolas Sarkozy in the event that he returns to active politics, on the condition that his program respects Estrosi’s convictions (which isn’t quite usual for Sarkozy, but…).
Nevertheless, the mayor of Nice has, for some time, been the chief artilleryman aiming at Franรงois Fillon to dent his presidential candidacy ambitions.
In passing, it is reminded that the right-hand man of the former Prime Minister is none other than Eric Ciotti, who is also a former collaborator, ally, and friend of Christian Estrosi, whom he recently hosted in the department at a public meeting in… Cannes!
Is it a personal tactic against a potential rival or action delegated by Nicolas Sarkozy?
The question is entirely relevant if the former President of the Republic were to run for the UMP presidency and, after a broad renovation of the party and perhaps even a change of its name, decide to run for the 2017 presidential race without going through the hoops of the right-wing primary.
We now learn from an interview in the Journal du Dimanche that Christian Estrosi’s new initiative will be the organization in Nice, on the first weekend of September, of a gathering of young UMP members extended to those with a right-leaning sensibility.
What will it entail? The mayor of Nice’s remarks are still a bit vague, even though one might imagine the contours with contents not yet very clear: What will be discussed and with whom?
UMP personalities could participate, and of course… “Nicolas Sarkozy has always loved youth, and this gathering would be an interesting opportunity for him, but he is the only one who can decide it,” adds Christian Estrosi, leaving us pondering his intentions and role: salesman of himself or ventriloquist of a silent partner who will speak at the decided moment?
Moreover, isn’t the post-vacation period the deadline Nicolas Sarkozy has set for himself to announce his return, or not, to business? Is it an indication of what might happen? Not easy to navigate in this whirlwind?
Christian Estrosi, who is one of the main players, claims to be an “heir of Gaullist thoughts,” but in this case, he might almost refer to good old Mao, who said: “The sky is dark, but the future will be bright.”
We can only wait, as in sagas, for the next episode.
