After being nominated as the Republicans’ presidential candidate on Saturday, Valérie Pécresse went to the homeland of her finalist rival, Eric Ciotti, near Nice, on Monday, December 6, in a first symbolic campaign trip where the two never left each other. one iota. A change after the tensions of the weekend, during which the deputy close to the far-right demanded more room for his ideas in the campaign.
With our special correspondent in Saint-Martin-Vésubie, Lucile Gimberg
On the frozen heights of Vésubie, they arrive together, greet each other on the balcony of the town hall and do not leave one another: Valérie Pécresse and Éric Ciotti, a couple reconciled? Act 2 is a bit overplayed: ” So you came to see the couple of the year ? », Joking Valerie Pécresse in front of the public.
Because act 1 has been strained. The deputy for Alpes-Maritimes put pressure on this weekend, after coming second in the primary race from the right. So that he, and his ideas close to the extreme right, do not make up.
” Whether there is a little bit of tension or pressure, it’s part of life, moderates the deputy Éric Pauget, spokesperson for Valérie Pécresse. What should not be done is repeat the mistakes of 2016. “
The negotiation took place at lunch in Nice. The only public concession from Valérie Pécresse, she agrees to “spice up” her program: ” I was very sensitive in Eric Ciotti’s program to a whole section of tax cuts, especially inheritance tax, so it’s a lead », She explains.
But there is no question of tandem: ” In the Gaullist party, there is a leader, in this case a leader. And there are personalities next to this leader. Eric Ciotti will be one of the pillars of my campaign. “
And Eric Ciotti complies, saying to himself ” with Valérie, behind her, it is she who was elected, it is she who has vocation to become the Head of State “.
So successful demining operation in Nice. Valérie Pécresse will then go to Savoie, at Michel barnier, and in the North, at Xavier Bertrand.
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