What was highly unlikely just a few months ago could become a reality that would change everything by offering a genuine solution to a union that seems to be having a very hard time coming together. There’s no doubt that if the current President of the Republic chose to be the UMP candidate for his own succession, he would be supported by a majority of elected officials, from the government to various local authorities with whom he maintains cordial and trustworthy relationships.
What can also be said about the love-hate relationship the Head of State maintains with another President, that of his party? Nicolas Sarkozy must deal with a scenario that no UMP militant would have imagined, although, somewhere, it is undoubtedly hoped for by some. As for MAM and De Villepin, both would certainly fall in line under this candidacy, which would provide them with a comfortable base to prepare for the next national deadline. Meanwhile, Jacques Chirac adopts a presidential posture to set the pace for a tense campaign within his party. A convinced Gaullist and a distinguished Head of State, the man casts doubt on a decision no one seems to know… not even him!
The massive election within the Socialist Party propelling Ségolène Royal, riding a pink wave reminiscent of 1981, adds a new piece to the UMP’s presidential puzzle, and there is no doubt that the final choice will be a difficult one during the congress scheduled for January 14, 2007. Nothing seems decided until all the cards are laid out, and only the very shrewd will be able to predict which candidate will have the upper hand.
