Nice Premium: Ms. Isabelle Delage, what is your current status within the Republican Entente group a few days before the next City Council?
Isabelle Delage: I resigned last Friday from the Republican Entente group. Therefore, I will be sitting in the next city council this Friday without being part of the group.
NP: Why did you make this choice, and were you the only one to do so?
ID: I am not the only one who made this choice. Six other elected officials are leaving the Republican Entente, but I am not here as a spokesperson. As for me, the choice is clear.
The electoral debate is over, and Christian Estrosi is the new Mayor of Nice. We cannot engage in systematic opposition against the municipal majority for two reasons. Firstly, for the interest of the people of Nice, I feel the necessity of defending the interests of my fellow citizens. An example is the last city council where a resolution on free parking caused a disagreement within our group’s voting stance. Some members wanted to vote against, and I felt that accepting this choice went against the interests of the people of Nice. We are right-wing people, and as such, we must behave like right-wing people.
Moreover, we have a significant milestone ahead with the Senatorial elections. The Republican Entente intends to present a dissident list, but as far as I’m concerned, the dissidence is over.
NP: Will there be a new group, and will you be part of it?
ID: Out of the six elected officials who left the Republican Entente, five will form a group. As for myself, I want to take time to reflect. We have just made an important decision for the future of this city, and it deserves some thought.
NP: The recent municipal elections seem to have seriously weakened the Republican Entente. Do you share this view?
ID: Let’s not forget that Jacques Peyrat was a mayor of Nice under the UMP label. He decided to run as a dissident under the Republican Entente colors. It’s not a party that rivals the UMP, which is a significant national party.
Whether the Republican Entente is in decline, only its President can answer that question. As for me, I did not campaign against Christian Estrosi but for Jacques Peyrat.
NP: What are your plans following this decision?
ID: My only plans are the interests of my city and its residents.
NP: How do you assess the first 100 days of Christian Estrosi’s mandate?
ID: One hundred days is a symbolic date. It’s too early to make analyses or judgments. Christian Estrosi has moved quickly and demonstrated action as well as a desire to unite beyond ideology and political divide.
He has made it clear that he wants to be the mayor for all of the people of Nice and is doing everything to achieve that.
NP: What are, in your opinion, the positive and negative aspects of his actions?
ID: The undoubtedly positive aspect is action. Many of the decisions he announced have been made; others are in progress. Municipal police, FRAP, free parking… the facts are there!
I don’t see any negative aspects. If there were one, I would have voted against one of the resolutions, which was not the case.
NP: What is your view on the other municipal opposition led by Patrick Allemand?
ID: The other opposition is natural since it’s from the left. However, we should distinguish between the actions of a national and a local opposition. To oppose is to propose, and without proposals, it’s merely a whim. I would like to see the opposition led by Patrick Allemand focus on construction rather than destruction.
NP: Finally, what is your personal definition of politics in Nice?
ID: It is nothing personal but should be unanimous. There is no fundamental change in Nice, which is a city strongly anchored to the right and will remain so. It has always been the poor relative of the State. The question remains whether things can change in the future with a real break. I hope that the national roles of the Mayor of Nice will help drive things forward.
