Claire Javois: becoming a deputy is not “a personal ambition”.

"My candidacy in the legislative elections signals my return to the political arena”, Claire Javois formerly elected to the territorial council of Saint-Martin between 2007 and 2012, told a press conference on Tuesday evening. She was on the list of the Union for Progress (UP) led by Louis-Constant Fleming. “After several years away from politics, I realized that I share the values of Daniel Gibbs and his team, his methodology and his fight. I appreciated the work he had done at the National Assembly,” she said. “I want to be available to the Executive Body of our two islands,” insisted the one who said she is ready to defend the interests of the two Collectivités in Paris. But Claire Javois repeated several times during the press conference, being a deputy is not “a personal ambition". She has been considering this term for a year. Also, she refused the position of Vice President of Social Affairs offered by Daniel Gibbs if she joined the Team Gibbs 2017 in the territorial elections of March. "If I had agreed to be Vice President, I would not have been able to run as deputy”, she admits. But it was “a project that was important to her”. It was due to her “fighting” personality that the President of the Federation of the Republicans of Saint-Martin chose her. “I need a soldier. The new team heading the Collectivité will implement reforms and she will need to get the texts to Parliament,” said Daniel Gibbs.

As the incumbent, Daniel Gibbs had received the LR nomination but committed to giving it if he became President of the Collectivité. His choice was Claire Javois. "I have faith in you and I need you”, he said at the press conference. “It's a sentimental and technical choice. It takes a story... We have experienced ups and downs with Claire but we kept in touch, and today we want to work together for the interest of the people”, he justified. The decision to give the nomination to Claire Javois, LR member since last November (she had already been a member between 2007 and 2012, editor’s note), was approved by Bruno Magras, President of the Saint-Barthelemy’s Collectivité, and also LR. “I don't know her very well, but I will support her because she bears the colors of our political party,” said Bruno Magras, at the press conference, whose only goal is to see his party win the elections in June. “We must win in order to allow François Baroin to become Prime Minister. He is the only one to know very well the files of Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthelemy, he has defended our files and allowed the passage and adoption of the organic law that created our Collectivités,” he explained. He is one of those close to the President of Saint-Barthelemy, Micheline Jacques, who is the alternate to Claire Javois. Director of the Gustavia school, Micheline Jacques is LR and was UMP and RPR. She recalled at the conference the national level commitment from the right to the overseas territories, particularly by quoting Jacques Chirac. She also wants to work for the young people. She considers forming with Claire Javois “a formidable duo”. Even if they haven’t known each other for long.