"A political maneuver from another age": in La Seyne, this close friend of Nathalie Bicais criticizes Jean-Pierre Colin

The climate in the Seynes political arena is more poisonous than ever. After Mayor Nathalie Bicais was sentenced to five years of ineligibility for illegal taking of interest, the battle is raging over who will succeed her. Remember that the election of the mayor who will complete the term will take place next Tuesday at 2 p.m., during a secret ballot vote involving only the 49 members of the municipal council.

The latest episode in this obstacle course for the mayor's seat: a long message from Deputy Security Officer Cheikh Mansour posted on Facebook, which did not go unnoticed. Like the writer Émile Zola during the Dreyfus Affair, he uses anaphora and violently "accuses" those who do not support the candidacy of Jo Minniti; the latter having been chosen by the majority to replace Nathalie Bicais until the next elections in 2026.

"A political maneuver from another age"

Cheikh Mansour, a long-time friend of Nathalie Bicais, particularly targets former deputy mayor Jean-Pierre Colin, for whom he has no harsh enough words. Referring to "a political maneuver from another age," the history professor deplores "the cynical attempt of a man who, having never won a single election in his name, dreams today of taking over our city and becoming its mayor."

He continued: "Jean-Pierre Colin is not from La Seyne. He doesn't live there. And yet, he doesn't hesitate to exploit La Seyne, its elected officials, its residents, to use them as a stepping stone or even a doormat for his personal political ambitions." Cheikh Mansour assures us: "It's a real insult to our city, to its residents, to our dignity."

Further on, still on the subject of Jean-Pierre Colin: "In the shadows, he haggles, he promises positions, increases in compensation, places. He puts constant pressure with messages, incessant calls to those he imagines vulnerable to publicly transform them into traitors. It is disgraceful. But even more so would be the betrayal of those who would accept this fool's bargain on the backs of the people of Seynois. I accuse those who, shamefully, would be preparing to sell out the general interest for a seat or a few pennies, of reneging on the commitment made to the people of Seynois."

Jean-Pierre Colin: "We have Zola on the municipal council!"

Contacted, Jean-Pierre Colin did not want to dwell on these attacks. "Bitterness competes with conviction, which is the worst enemy of truth," he said. Before saying, with a smile: "The good news, though, is that we have a new Zola on the municipal council."

Making no secret of his political ambitions in the second largest city in the Var region, the regional councillor has just received the support of departmental councillors Lydie Onteniente and Ludovic Pontone . While he waits for support from even higher ups, the centrist seems convinced that he can outshine Jo Minniti, which would be a formidable stepping stone in the run-up to next year's election.

For his part, Sheikh Mansour reaffirmed his support for Jo Minniti. But the man, now vice-president of the TPM metropolis, and whose political trajectory has taken off over the past five years, may not have said his last word either in view of next year's municipal elections. While he has never publicly raised this possibility, others, in any case, are considering it for him.