2024-01-12 11:40:05
It was the most scrutinized transfer of power of the reshuffle. Rachida Dati succeeds Rima Abdul Malak as Minister of Culture this Friday morning.
“Culture must be accessible to all,” insists Rachida Dati in her first speech on rue de Valois. “I understand that my appointment may come as a surprise. She doesn’t surprise me, she adds, smiling. It responds to the need of France which is called popular, sometimes with contempt, which must feel represented. Culture is a daily struggle. »
Rachida Dati praised Rima Abdul Malak’s “freedom of thought”, which she “shares” with her. “The Fifth Republic ensured that in France culture was not a good like any other. Don’t be afraid, I will always be there to defend this cultural exception. I will take my share,” she promises. The new minister wants to build a new cultural offer, “from neighborhoods to rurality”. “They can count on me to support them fully,” underlines Rachida Dati.
The appointment of Nicolas Sarkozy’s former Minister of Justice from 2007 to 2009 came as a surprise to the government of Gabriel Attal. The Republican figure was shortly after excluded by the party boss, Éric Ciotti. She is indicted for “corruption and passive influence peddling” as part of an investigation into contracts entered into by a Dutch subsidiary of the automobile manufacturer Renault-Nissan. Rachida Dati has always contested these accusations. Gabriel Attal insisted on TF 1, on “the presumption of innocence” of his minister.
“I remained free”
Rima Abdul Malak stayed twenty months on rue de Valois. “Becoming a minister was not a dream for me, my dream was to become free and stay that way,” she said this Friday, greatly applauded by the assembly. I remained free, in my commitment, in my positions, in my love for artists. »
The Immigration law recently passed with forceps had revolted her, even if she could not proclaim it. In December, the Gérard Depardieu affair marked a second, much deeper quarrel with the president. While she said she was “disgusted” by comments about women made by the actor in North Korea and announced a disciplinary procedure initiated by the Order of the Legion of Honor, Emmanuel Macron reframed her live on “C à Vous”, speaking of the “pride” that the star would bring to France.
This live performance specialist was very attentive to the survival of festivals, and developed the cultural pass already created. It was especially before, as Macron’s advisor from 2019 to 2022, that she had worked deeply to keep the machine running with its engines cut off in the midst of the Covid pandemic. “I am proud to have obtained the highest budgets in the history of the ministry,” greeted the now ex-minister.
“The curse at the Ministry of Culture is tenacious,” regrets Rima Abdul Malak, while no Minister of Culture has remained in his post for more than two years in ten years.
“This ministry will be one of dialogue,” promises the new spokesperson
This was the second transfer of power, after that between Olivier Véran and Prisca Thévenot, to the position of government spokesperson. “I love all French people, even those who complain, even those who protest, because they push us to go further,” said Olivier Véran, who will become a deputy again in a month, and of whom he says he will play a role in the next European elections.
“I know how many expectations there are,” recognizes Prisca Thévenot. “What I wish to embody with you is this ardent desire to make this plural France a united Nation.” “This ministry will be that of dialogue,” she insisted.
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