“It could surprise”: Michaël Darmon recounts “the political change” of Rachida Dati, new Minister of Culture

Rachida Dati is no longer the intriguer of her beginnings but “an essential state figure”, according to Michaël Darmon. FREE NOON – Michael ESDOURRUBAILH

The television and radio journalist Michaël Darmon, who wrote with Yves Derai, "Belle Amie" in 2009 recounts the transformation of the new Minister of Culture who could surprise in functions where no one expected. 

In "Belle Amie", a book dedicated to Rachida Dati that you wrote with Yves Derai in 2009, you describe the new Minister of Culture as daring , seductive and devoured by ambition. Has she changed ?

Yes in the sense that she pushed the logic to the end. We met him in a time of intoxication with power. But the extraordinary political animal managed to direct his energy towards the voters, towards others. She channeled her power outwards. We knew that if she succeeded we would have a fairly exceptional state actor.

She succeeded, according to you?

Yes, reluctantly, by leaving the Ministry of Justice to become a European Member of Parliament. She delved into the subjects, worked enormously and then was elected mayor of the 7th arrondissement of Paris. She took on this dimension of local elected official to become an essential right-wing personality. There is not much left between the Rachida Dati of the time and that of today.

Journalist Michaël Darmon is the author of “Belle Amie”, with Yves Derai. MAXPPP

Everyone was surprised by his appointment to the Ministry of Culture. And you ?

Also, it was very unexpected. But what does not surprise me is Emmanuel Macron's desire to put Les Républicains in great difficulty and even to liquidate this party. With this appointment, directly led by Emmanuel Macron, he also sends a strong signal to his young Prime Minister to tell him that it is he who is in charge. The blow is very hard for LR, very hard also for Édouard Philippe who wanted to push Pierre-Yves Bournazel, for the Paris municipal elections in 2026.

Is this a launching pad for Rachida Dati in the municipal elections in Paris ?

It’s first and foremost a short-term move but also a desire to organize the municipal campaign in the hope of being better placed. With Agnès Buzin there was an agreement for the second round there, the presidential majority made an agreement for the first round.

Also read: Rachida Dati appointed Minister of Culture: the twist that no one saw coming

Rachida Dati is no longer the intriguer you described in 2009?

No, there has been a political change. She managed to get re-elected in Paris. But it always had this political power which only asked to express itself.

And yet she is probably the best-known minister of the new Attal government, why is she printing to this extent ?

She embodied what Nicolas Sarkozy installed: metapolitical characters, message characters, who transmit through their own history, their personality… They challenge and attract attention because of what they are. Regardless of the controversies, Rachida Dati captures the attention of the general public. Like Nicolas Sarkozy in his time.

Many predict failure for him at the Ministry of Culture…

I won't be one of them. Firstly because I am not clairvoyant and it is difficult or even inappropriate to predict success or failure. Journalists are paid to be surprised… And we might even be if there is a challenge. This is not an easy position. Even if there are no major projects in terms of cultural policy. Most of them were launched by Rima Abdul Malak, obviously much missed and much appreciated by the cultural community. In any case, we can count on her to have understood that she was expected around the corner. She should quickly make decisions that will clearly position her.

A volume 2 on Rachida Dati, it’s possible ?

No because another opus followed our book, "Rachida never dies" by Elisabeth Chavelet who had shown her evolution, how she channeled herself and whose title remains very topical.

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