Rachida Dati Resigns as Minister of Culture to Run for Mayor of Paris
The Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, announced on Wednesday, February 25, that she had submitted her resignation from the government to President Emmanuel Macron to “fight the battle of her life” in the upcoming Paris mayoral elections, just two and a half weeks before the first round.
“I am going to change Paris and the lives of Parisians,” promised the right-wing candidate for the capital’s mayor on BFMTV, specifying that she submitted her resignation to the President of the Republic that morning. The Élysée Palace thanked her for her useful work for the French people over the past two years and wished her well in her current endeavor.
“I leave these responsibilities with profound respect and deep gratitude for those who contribute every day to the cultural policy of our country,” Dati also stated in a press release, emphasizing that culture is an essential foundation of our national cohesion.
Rachida Dati Claims Success in Preserving Culture
Despite facing corruption charges, 60-year-old politician Rachida Dati has brought her determination and outspoken style to the Ministry of Culture, one of the few to have survived all the reshuffles since January 2024. She cited achievements from her term, such as strengthening culture in rural areas and safeguarding cultural heritage.
Despite budget cuts, Dati believes she succeeded in limiting damage in the cultural sector, although her ministry’s budget faced a €173.4 million decrease from a total of €3.7 billion this year (excluding audiovisual).
“Paris is the Commitment of a Lifetime”
Rachida Dati also focused on reforming public broadcasting, advocating for a united front against digital platforms. However, her plan for a media holding company did not materialize.
Her tenure was also marked by incidents at the Louvre Museum, including the theft of jewels that gained worldwide attention and staff strikes beginning in mid-December.
After juggling ministerial duties and her candidacy, Dati now has one goal in mind: “Paris is the commitment of a lifetime,” she assured in her statement.
[Context: Rachida Dati is resigning as the Minister of Culture to focus on campaigning for the upcoming mayoral elections in Paris. Dati emphasized her commitment to changing the city and the lives of its residents.]
[Fact Check: Rachida Dati, despite facing corruption charges, highlighted her achievements in the Ministry of Culture, including efforts to support culture in rural areas and protect heritage sites.]
