Alexandre Chauveau, edited by Gauthier Delomez / Photo credits: Ludovic MARIN / AFP
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8:39 a.m., January 13, 2024
The appointment of Rachida Dati to the Ministry of Culture reshuffles the cards in Paris, since the new tenant of rue de Valois is the main opponent of Anne Hidalgo in the capital. The mayor of the 7th arrondissement could be the only candidate from the right and the center in the next municipal elections in 2026.
Rachida Dati had precisely made this alliance with the macronie the key to seizing the capital. Nicolas Sarkozy’s former Minister of Justice was appointed head of the Ministry of Culture on Thursday, and this appointment reshuffles the cards in Paris since the new tenant of rue de Valois is the main opponent of the current mayor, Anne Hidalgo.
By appointing her to the government, Emmanuel Macron promised Rachida Dati the nomination for the 2026 municipal elections, consequently, the mayor of the 7th arrondissement would therefore be the only candidate from the right and the center.
A nomination not so surprising for those around him
His appointment to the government did not come as much of a surprise among those around him. If some LR elected officials, in the minority, feel betrayed, many on the other hand see it as an opportunity to bring together political forces determined to put an end to the domination of the left.
“We must dissociate the local and the national,” analyzes an elected official. “With Horizons and Renaissance, we all get along well,” he adds, aware that the presidential party is hot on the heels of Les Républicains in several districts. An advisor agrees: “It’s the best possible deal. In 2026, the useful vote will weigh. With the support of the center, Dati will be in a position of strength.”
Culture, “a powerful environment in the capital”
So, if on paper, the scenario seems ideal, Rachida Dati must above all succeed in her mission on rue de Valois. “She wants to penetrate all the cultural networks because it is a powerful environment in the capital,” specifies a relative.
The other condition is that Gabriel Attal does not in turn enter the race, he who was eyeing the town hall for a while, and who could see it as an ideal way out after two years at Matignon.