PARIS (Reuters) – The new Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, wanted to reassure players in the sector on Friday while her appointment was the main surprise of Gabriel Attal’s government.
“Everyone knows that I like to fight, don’t be afraid,” said Nicolas Sarkozy’s former Minister of Justice and mayor of the 7th arrondissement of Paris, during the transfer of power to Rue de Valois.
The appointment of Rachida Dati – who was subsequently excluded from her party, Les Républicains – sparked numerous reactions, while she appeared as a fervent critic of Emmanuel Macron.
“I understand that this appointment may come as a surprise. It does not surprise me. It responds to a real need,” she declared to the press, displaying her determination to “act, to listen to all those involved in culture of our country”.
Renowned for her outspokenness, she promised to put her “combativeness (…) at the service of culture”.
“Culture is an everyday struggle, in a world where there are many challenges,” she added, citing “radicalization, communitarianism, separatism.”
Rachida Dati succeeds Rima Abdul Malak, who was applauded at length during the transfer of power.
Located on the left wing of Macronie, Rima Abdul Malak was given out of the government because of her positions, against Gérard Depardieu in particular, which irritated the head of state, as well as her reservations towards of immigration law.
(Written by Kate Entringer, edited by Blandine Hénault)
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