President Emmanuel Macron has reshuffled the government, appointing Catherine Pégard as Minister of Culture. She replaces Rachida Dati, who resigned to fully commit to her campaign ahead of the March election for mayor of Paris. This change is part of a broader, albeit limited, review of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's cabinet, aimed at adjusting the government's composition for the upcoming local elections.
The French political scene has undergone significant reshuffles ahead of the upcoming local elections. A key event is the resignation of Rachida Dati from her post as Minister of Culture. Dati, a charismatic and controversial figure, decided to dedicate herself to the fight for the mayor's seat in Paris, which she describes as „the battle of her life”. Her departure forced President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to make changes to the cabinet. The new head of the ministry on Rue de Valois is Catherine Pégard, a 71-year-old former political journalist and long-time president of the Palace of Versailles. Pégard, considered a trusted collaborator of the president, smoothly stepped into her new duties, appearing at the César Awards gala just hours after her nomination. The Ministry of Culture in France traditionally enjoys high prestige, and its budget and influence on national identity have been the subject of ongoing public debate since the time of André Malraux.The reshuffle, though described by the government as a „correction”, also included other positions. Sabrina Agresti-Roubache returned to the government as Minister Delegate for Vocational Education. Camille Galliard-Minier took over duties in the ministry for disabled persons, replacing Charlotte Parmentier-Lecocq. Meanwhile, government spokesperson Maud Bregeon expanded her portfolio to include the energy minister portfolio. These changes reflect the presidential camp's drive to stabilize the administration ahead of a crucial electoral test. The challenges facing the new culture minister are significant, especially in the context of planned budget cuts in the creative sector. „C’est une des plus belles missions que j’ai eues.” — Rachida Dati The management of the ministry under Dati evoked extreme emotions. Critics accuse her of a lack of real legislative successes and a focus on image-building actions, such as campaigns among the homeless. Supporters point to the increased visibility of the ministry in public debate. The newly appointed Catherine Pégard, though perceived as a more discreet person, possesses a powerful network of contacts in the worlds of culture and politics. Her nomination is interpreted as a signal of a return to a more substantive and less confrontational style of cultural management. <kluczowa-liczba wartość=