Macron claims he did not discuss the Paris municipal elections with Rachida Dati before his appointment to the culture department

On Tuesday evening, at a press conference, the President of the Republic did not do without compliments to the new Minister of Culture.

“I know that she will put her talent, her energy, her freedom at the service of culture. It cannot be reduced to political affiliation,” he said of Rachid Dati, a former member of the Republican Party and mayor of the 7th arrondissement of Paris. Appointed to the post of Minister of Culture during the last ministerial reshuffle, the minister, however, in recent years has been an outspoken opponent of the Macronist doctrine.

President Emmanuel Macron also assured on Tuesday evening that he had not spoken about the upcoming municipal elections in Paris with Rachida Dati. “We didn’t talk about Paris, you’ll find it hard to believe me when I tell you this, but it’s true,” he added.

No resignation if charged

The head of state was forced to speak out on charges against Rachida Dati of “passive corruption” and “concealing abuses of power” in the context of the Carlos Ghosn case. The President of the Republic justified this choice by “evolution in political life.” The resignation of the ministers under investigation “would mean that I give the presumption of innocence not so much to the ministers as to others,” the head of state said.

By appointing Rachida Dati, Emmanuel Macron also said he wanted to “end France with the principle of ‘it’s not for me’.”