The atmosphere was not very frivolous, but the focus was on reconciliation between the two men. Many on both the left and the right thought that the story between Patrick Mottard and Patrick Allemand was definitively over after the last municipal elections of 2008. At that time, Patrick Mottard had indeed decided to create an independent list (Gauche Autrement), depriving Patrick Allemand of significant support (800 votes) in a department dominated by right-wing parties. Since then, disagreements have multiplied, and paths have diverged. The latest twist seemed to seal the disagreements when Patrick Mottard and his wife Dominique Boy-Mottard joined the Radical Left Party on October 15, 2010. This is a victory for the president of the Radical Party, Jean-Christophe Picard, who was supported by a hundred members until then. He now counts two elected officials in the General Council among his ranks, and that is the whole challenge for the Socialist Party.
Building the left for the next 3 years?
For Patrick Allemand, his declared intention is “to pave the way and build something coherent” for the next 3 years. For him, it is inconceivable “to leave the cantons to Christian Estrosi who veered into security ideas this summer.” The agreement between the Socialist Party 06 and Gauche Autrement is indeed there. It consists of avoiding guerrilla warfare within these two currents, which could lead to the loss of cantons to the Left and concede all socialist land to right-wing parties. Therefore, the Socialist Party of 06 will not field any candidate in the 5th and 7th cantons of Alpes-Maritimes currently held by the couple Patrick Mottard and Dominique Boy-Mottard. In contrast, Faouzia Maali will not overshadow the socialist candidate endorsed in the 14th canton (Paul Cuturello). She will even be his main support, as she will be his deputy. This support will last until the legislative elections (2012) and municipal elections (2014) where “Gauche Autrement,” supported by Patrick Mottard, will make room for the Socialist Party.
A reconciliation?
Circumstantial agreement? Real reconciliation? The stated goal is, in any case, to leave the past behind without disavowing each other’s convictions to avoid “intensifying the resentments.” “This doesn’t mean we’ll go on vacation together next summer,” sums up Patrick Mottard. But with the arrival of the Mottard couple at PRG06, another issue may have to be reopened for the left-wing leaders towards the radicals who might slam their fist on the table.
Alliances are being prepared for a cantonal election that generally doesn’t draw crowds. It remains to be seen whether the people of Nice will mobilize this time to elect their representatives to the General Council and whether they will understand the usefulness of this vote (see our [explanations on the cantonal elections](https://www.nicepremium.fr/article/elections-cantonales-en-vue-a-nice-et-dans-les-alpes-maritimes.6072.html)).
