Resignation of French Culture Minister: Rachida Dati Launches Campaign for Mayor of Paris

Rachida Dati's resignation from the post of culture minister marks a pivotal turn in French domestic politics ahead of the upcoming local elections. Dati, a polarizing figure, announced she is fully dedicating herself to the campaign in the capital, while also declaring herself the official candidate backed by Emmanuel Macron. Her departure from the government has sparked a wave of commentary regarding the balance sheet of her two-year tenure at the culture ministry. Critics, including in the pages of Le Monde, accuse her of focusing on flashy announcements while lacking real legislative achievements. Supporters, on the other hand, highlight her energy and ability to survive in difficult political conditions. The situation in Paris is becoming increasingly tense. Pierre-Yves Bournazel, a center-right candidate, firmly rejected appeals for an alliance with Dati, describing her campaign as a "clash of the past with the past." Meanwhile, representatives of the left, including MP Sophia Chikirou, are sharply attacking the presence of right-wing groups in city councils, using anti-fascist rhetoric. However, the campaign in the capital is just one part of a broader crisis affecting the ruling party and its allies in other strongholds. In Le Havre, former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, hitherto considered a leading candidate in future presidential elections, is losing support. The latest polls indicate he could lose his re-election bid to a communist candidate. The French electoral system for local elections is based on party lists in individual districts, which in large cities like Paris, Marseille, or Lyon translates to the mayor being elected by the city council, not through direct popular vote.In Marseille, the situation is equally dynamic. Martine Vassal, the previous favorite, has seen a sharp drop in polls following controversies related to her statements about Marshal Pétain. The National Rally (RN) is trying to exploit this gap. Franck Allisio, the party's candidate in Marseille, has called on the right to unite under his banner. Marine Le Pen's party is introducing controversial proposals into the campaign, such as an "anti-riot passport," which is to be a priority in their program for Marseille. The picture is completed by Le Pen's own legal troubles, as she has announced she will withdraw from the presidential race if she receives a final conviction carrying a sentence that restricts her freedom. In 2007, Rachida Dati became the first woman from an immigrant family from the Maghreb in French history to head a key government ministry, becoming a symbol of meritocracy in Nicolas Sarkozy's administration.„On donne les consignes à partir du moment où l'on sait qui est candidat au deuxième tour” (Instructions are given from the moment we know who is a candidate in the second round) — Thierry Mariani In Paris, the opposition is demanding that Dati participate in a debate before the first round, as called for by Sophia Chikirou and Pierre-Yves Bournazel. Dati, however, despite accusations of "social racism" leveled at her rivals, is for now avoiding direct media confrontation. The 2026 elections will be a survival test for Emmanuel Macron's political formation at the local level before the end of his term at the Élysée Palace in 2027.