Vandals target legislative campaign

UMP politician Eric Ciotti was the victim of a death threat

President of the General Council, Eric Ciotti, launched an official complaint to the Prosecutor of Nice, Eric Bedos, last Friday after being the subject of a series of death threats and a string of racial abuse. The UMP politician received a typed letter stating "As you have agreed with propositions made by the FN, we are going to destroy you." This threat was accompanied by images of the FN logo, a swastika as well as a portrait of the former fascist Italian leader, Mussolini. The letter included further racial abuse, accusing Ciotti of having similar traits to an SS member. Later in a press release, Ciotti stated: "I will not be intimated by these cowardly and vile acts. I hope that the author or authors of this despicable letter are quickly identified and brought to justice."

A large number of legislative campaign posters and billboards have been defaced throughout the region. For example, a few days ago posters of the PRG candidate, Jean-Christophe Picard (a candidate in constituency number three), were vandalised when bold strips were pasted over it's slogans and UMP messages were planted above his face instead. Picard reaffirmed to local newspaper Direct Matin that it will not condone or tolerate this kind of abuse: "an election should be a time for democracy, where one can express their own opinions", he added.  

These brazen acts have also occurred at the head quarters of Socialist Paul Cuturello (candidate in constituency number five) and PCF candidate Jacques Victor, which were covered in a series of racial inscriptions. 

Katie Williams