Congress of Republicans: the triumph of Sarkozy, the downfall of Juppe

The congress of the former UMP, renamed "The Republicans", was held saturday in Paris. Nicolas Sarkozy, widely cheered in front of nearly 15,000 activists, blasted the left in his closing speech. Alain Juppe, he, was booed.

Nicolas Sarkozy gathered his troops saturday, May 30th at the Porte de la Villette in Paris to rebuild the party he chairs and which is now called "The Republicans". The founding congress marks a crucial step in his reconquest of power strategy in 2017.
In his closing speech, the President of the movement attacked the left, accusing him of "caricature" the Republic and the "betrayal by the blow permanent force", citing "gender theory", the "egalitarianism" the "distrust for those who undertakers" ... "You don't protect the Republic, you deliver to the active minorities and successive electoral clientele you serve after you be served", he continued.
Nearly 15 000 people were gathered for this high mass burial at once - that of the UMP, the party founded in 2002 by Jacques Chirac - and baptism "The Republicans".
But the hour is to frugality, because of finances at low tide, the outer tent to house 6000 à 7000 of the activists had not been prepared before the huge iron building "Paris Event Center" where the temperature was rising quickly. Chairs remained empty on several rows on the rear sides. No loud music at the entrance of the stars, setting a minimum for this Congress to the budget of 550,000 euros. Each was even invited to come with his sandwich.

Thousands of these were not less enthusiastic and quick to ignite for the arrival of Nicolas Sarkozy. Other big names as Laurent Wauquiez also received a warm welcome, especially Bruno Le Maire, unlike Alain Juppé. The former Prime Minister, penultimate talking, was copiously booed by militants.
"It makes me sad, but it does not change my determination", were the first words of the mayor of Bordeaux. Alain Juppe was then cheered sporadically during his speech, but the real thunder was triggered when he named Nicolas Sarkozy.
Centrists also spoke during brief messages read in the Tribune, Jean-Christophe Lagarde, president of UDI Hervé Morin, president of the New center, which called for "indispensable alliance" between Republicans and centrists, including regional December.
If no candidate already approached for the primary (Alain Juppe Francois Fillon, Xavier Bertrand, Mayor) does not want to risk this time to break the unit to which Nicolas Sarkozy has been working since his election to the presidency of a bruised left by months of infighting, all refuse to see in this day enthronement of a candidate Sarkozy.
The former president does not hide his presidential ambitions for 2017, but according to a recent survey Odoxa for "Le Parisien", the game is not yet won puisqu'Alain Juppe, the fight largely at a primary in his own camp. According to another poll published Odoxa Saturday in Le Parisien, 72% of French do not want Nicolas Sarkozy comes to the presidential election.

Source : France 24