In the incessant waltz of culture ministers over the last thirty years, Rachida Dati, by being reappointed to her post on Saturday, September 21, avoids being the most ephemeral of the tenants of the rue de Valois. The fifth minister of culture (and, now, “heritage”) of Emmanuel Macron’s presidency will have done everything to save her post – which she had only occupied since January 11 – or rather her presence within the new government.
On August 28, on France Inter, the future candidate for the 2026 municipal elections in Paris called for a coalition between the presidential camp and the Republican right to find a prime minister and did not hide her wish to remain in the future government: “If we can be useful to France, I will not say no.” And, apparently, his legal troubles don’t matter. Indicted since July 2021 for “passive corruption”, “passive influence peddling” And “concealment of abuse of power” As part of an investigation into her consultancy services as a lawyer to the former CEO of the Renault-Nissan alliance, Carlos Ghosn, Rachida Dati’s future remains suspended on the final indictment of the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office. With the risk of being sent before the criminal court.
All summer, the resigning minister did not set foot in regional festivals, even deserting the main courtyard of the Avignon festival. But she continued to fight to continue to exist by announcing on July 11 a plan of 98 million euros over three years for improve access to cultural activities in rural areas, by hosting all the artists who participated in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on August 26 and by increasing his interventions in the media or on X (formerly Twitter). Taking on in turn his cap as a Parisian elected official or that of unwavering supporter of the President of the Republic, we have read or heard him calm the ardor of his sworn enemy Anne Hidalgo on the maintenance of the Olympic rings on the Eiffel Tower, or strongly criticize former Macronist ministers for their lack of recognition towards Emmanuel Macron.
An even more tense economic context
“War booty” of the head of state in the Republican camp, Rachida Dati managed to reassure a cultural sector stunned by her nomination. The former Minister of Justice of Nicolas Sarkozy was not expected at Rue de Valois. She knew it. “I understand that my arrival here may surprise. It doesn’t surprise me. It responds to the need of France that is often called popular – sometimes with a little contempt – which must feel represented.”defended, with his usual frankness, the LR mayor of the 7e arrondissement of Paris during the transfer of power on January 12, with Rima Abdul Malak.
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