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Rabat – Moroccan-French politician Rachida Dati, former minister under Nicolas Sarkozy, has made a comeback to government as the new culture minister in a cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Gabriel Attal under the current government of President Emmanuel Macron.
Dati, who is currently serving as the mayor of Paris’s 7th arrondissement for the right-wing party Les Républicains, became the first Muslim woman to hold a major government post in 2007, serving as the Justice Minister during the Sarkozy presidency.
Her appointment back then was hailed as a message that “with merit and effort, everything becomes possible,” according to Sarkozy.
Dati grew up on a low-income estate on the outskirts of the town of Chalons-sur-Saone in Burgundy.
In 2021, Dati faced a significant setback when she was placed under investigation by France’s financial crimes unit over dealings with former Renault chief Carlos Ghosn.
The investigation revolved around allegations of “passive corruption” and “benefiting from abuse of power” related to consulting work for Ghosn from 2010-12 while she was a member of the European Parliament. Dati has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Dati’s appointment as culture minister comes as part of a broader cabinet reshuffle, introducing several other changes. Stéphane Séjourné, a key figure in Macron’s Renaissance party, was named foreign minister, while Prisca Thévenot, part of Macron’s centrist grouping, became the new government spokesperson.
Despite the changes, key ministers such as Bruno Le Maire in the finance ministry and controversial Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin remained part of the government.
The new cabinet, with the likes of Dati heading the Ministry of Culture and Séjourné leading foreign affairs, is hailed as an innovative move by the president.
The new cabinet equally saw the appointment of Catherine Vautrin, previously associated with the Republicans, as minister of labor, health, and solidarities. Vautrin, who was considered for the position of prime minister in 2022, now takes on a significant role in a government where sovereign positions are largely held by men.
According to Emmanuel Macron’s entourage, the new cabinet is “the most streamlined government in history” with eleven full ministers and three delegates.
