The Republicans withdrew from the municipal election in Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône) to block the left. The objective in this communist stronghold is thus to win Patrick de Carolis (various centers) against the candidate supported by the outgoing municipality, Nicolas Koukas.
A "reason pact" in the Paca region
It is a "reason pact" to which Renaud Muselier, president of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, had called. He welcomed the decision on Saturday at a press conference. "I proposed a method for these elections, a reason pact. It works on Arles since the candidate Mr. Juglaret has withdrawn".
The LR candidate, Cyril Juglaret, had gathered 15.3% of the vote and finished third at the end of the first round. The former president of France Télévisions, Patrick de Carolis came out on top with 26.4% of the vote, ahead of the successor of the outgoing communist mayor, Nicolas Koukas (21.2%).
Only two Communists on the opposing list
Patrick de Carolis, 66, claims "a social fiber" to "get the city out of the doldrums" and appears at the top of an unlabeled list. He praised this decision on Twitter considering that it would block the far left. He also criticized "catastrophic management" of the city by the current municipality.
By calling for a reason pact, @RenaudMuselier encourages all moderate forces to block the far left in the Region. Beyond the political labels I thank him for this reason support! In Arles, the Communists have been in charge for almost 20 years ... https://t.co/WMDG05vdMT
- Patrick De Carolis (@CarolisPatrick) May 30, 2020On June 28, he will therefore face Nicolas Koukas, 44, municipal councilor for 18 years and designated successor of the outgoing communist mayor, Hervé Schiavetti, in office since 2001. Heir to the outgoing municipality, he stands out, however, posting a list " 80% renewed ", an" open, progressive team, drawn from the Socialist Party, environmentalists and even people from the center right "and and having only two inset Communists.