Culture Minister Rachida Dati has officially resigned from her position to fully focus on her campaign ahead of the Paris municipal elections. The decision, announced on February 25, 2026, comes less than three weeks before the first round of voting. Dati, representing the right, will face strong competition in the capital, including from Emmanuel Grégoire, amid growing political tensions and controversies surrounding the city's finances.
Culture Minister's resignation
Rachida Dati resigns from the government to fight for the position of Mayor of Paris in the upcoming local elections.
Paris financial crisis
A report by the Institut Montaigne reveals the capital's debt exceeding 10 billion euros and a low assessment of the city's management.
Tensions and aggression in the campaign
Attacks on journalists by LFI and vandalism at parliamentary offices in Marseille are intensifying the political dispute.
Political transfers in the regions
In Bordeaux, famous footballer Johan Micoud is engaging in politics on the side of an independent candidate.
Rachida Dati, the outgoing culture minister and one of the most prominent figures in the cabinet of Sébastien Lecornu, announced the end of her mission at the ministry. During an appearance on BFMTV, she emphasized that the fight for Paris is "the commitment of her life." This resignation had been expected by commentators since she announced her candidacy for mayor, but the actual departure occurred just before the decisive clash scheduled for March. President Emmanuel Macron accepted the resignation, paving the way for a partial reshuffle of the council of ministers, especially following the recent departure of Amélie de Montchalin to the Cour des comptes. The election campaign in Paris is entering a phase of brutal confrontation. The main left-wing rival, Emmanuel Grégoire, accused Dati of representing regressive forces and compared her rhetoric to methods used by Donald Trump. Simultaneously, the situation is complicated by the radical stance of La France insoumise, whose representative, Sophia Chikirou, caused a scandal with brutal attacks on journalists, calling them "Nazis on little feet." The atmosphere is further heated by the publication of a report from the Institut Montaigne, which warns of the dramatic state of the capital's finances, pointing to a gigantic debt reaching ten billion euros. The French two-round system in local elections rewards the ability to build coalitions between the first and second rounds, which has historically decided power in key metropolises such as Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. Beyond Paris, flashpoints are also emerging in other cities. In Marseille, there was vandalism at the office of center-right candidate Martine Vassal, where death threat graffiti appeared. Meanwhile, in Bordeaux, the campaign was energized by the addition of former French national team footballer Johan Micoud to the list of independent candidate Philippe Dessertine. Across the country, these elections are seen as a test of support for the presidential bloc and a measure of the strength of the far-right and the united left ahead of future national elections. „J’ai remis ma démission ce matin au président de la République.” (I submitted my resignation this morning to the President of the Republic.) — Rachida Dati
Mentioned People
- Rachida Dati — Outgoing French Minister of Culture, candidate for Mayor of Paris.
- Emmanuel Grégoire — Main socialist rival of Dati in the Paris elections.
- Sophia Chikirou — LFI MP, candidate for Mayor of Paris known for controversial statements.
- Emmanuel Macron — President of France.