Certainly,
How are you approaching this campaign?
A week before the first round, I have been actively campaigning for nearly a month. Today, people are returning from their vacations and the campaign is accelerating. With the help of Green Party activists and those from Europe Ecology, I am now in the streets and paths of the canton every day, and the reception I receive encourages me to continue. In this canton (and in all of Nice), the Europe Ecology list came in second place last June. I am convinced that the voters who trusted us three months ago will want to confirm that choice.
The campaign took place during the summer, do you consider this an advantage or a disadvantage?
It’s clear that it’s not an advantage. Even if not everyone takes their vacation in August, it has been difficult to meet the residents of the canton during the first weeks, and today, people are caught in the whirlwind of a quick campaign. It is more difficult to explain a complete departmental program in such a short time when everyone is organizing their return.
How would you define the 6th canton of Nice?
Evidently full of contrasts, but above all full of richness. This canton is waiting to be able to breathe. None of the neighborhoods are spared from constant pollution, whether it is related to overly intense automobile traffic or proximity to the Ariane incinerator. None today have a satisfactory transport and traffic solution.
Each of the neighborhoods is affected by significant housing difficulties: quality of housing in some neighborhoods, frequent difficulties in finding housing (especially for young people), and too often difficulties in affording housing that has increased in value when a small pension hasn’t kept pace.
What would you say to the residents of the 6th canton to convince them that your candidacy is the best?
A voter gave me an answer to your question: after telling me that she usually votes for another political color, she said she noticed that I was the only candidate offering a real program for the department and the canton. I would simply like to invite all voters to carefully read the proposals of each candidate.
My candidacy is that of the gathering of ecologists, in the continuity of the Europe Ecology movement whose department’s activists have granted me their support so that the proposals of the ecological contract for Europe can have a real relay in our department.
You already know your opponents, how would you define them?
While I regret that the Socialist Party does not respect the 2008 departmental agreement by presenting Xavier Garcia, the reading of his leaflets enlightens me on his environmental convictions since, rather than fighting against the causes of pollution, he prefers to seek ways to live with it.
I am amused to see pseudo-ecologists multiplying. The results of the European elections seem to have converted everyone. But as often, it’s better to trust the original. I find it hard to understand that a candidate calls himself an ecologist and distributes leaflets that do not mention the environment at all. I am even more surprised to see the MEI logo on the documents of two different candidates. Finally, alongside the race to be the most eco-friendly, I see a race to be the most centrist.
My main remark is the weakness of the proposals of most other candidates who do not seem to have taken the trouble to think about a project for the Alpes Maritimes and thus only seek to secure a place.
In addition to the cantonal elections from September 6 to 13, what are your plans for the fall?
With the local group of the Green Party from Nice country, and our two municipal councilors, Mari-Luz HERNANDEZ-NICAISE (my substitute) and Rémi GAECHTER, we will continue to be vigilant on all the projects of this city. If we are a force of opposition, we will nonetheless continue to put forward our proposals whenever necessary. I will also continue the work initiated with Jean Raymond VINCIGUERRA on departmental issues, particularly on the crucial issue of waste and on the national interest operation of the Var plain.
On a broader level, I intend to work on the consolidation of Europe Ecology in our department and finally, with all the ecological activists, we will relay local initiatives in conjunction with our MEPs for the Copenhagen climate summit.
