Dati Quits Culture Ministry as France’s Municipal Campaign Hardens

Overview

• Rachida Dati formally resigned as culture minister to focus on her Paris mayoral bid, submitting her resignation to President Emmanuel Macron.
• Cabinet adjustments are expected, with multiple outlets reporting Catherine Pégard as the likely successor at Culture, though no appointment has been announced.
• In Paris, Dati cited a favorable Ifop poll, declined a pre‑first‑round debate, accused PS rival Emmanuel Grégoire of “social racism,” and faces competition from Sarah Knafo and Pierre‑Yves Bournazel.
• Jean‑Luc Mélenchon held a Lyon meeting of more than 2,000 people under reinforced police security, defended links to La Jeune Garde after a collaborator was placed under formal investigation, and drew accusations of antisemitic undertones over a remark about “Epstein.”
• Marine Le Pen said the RN will not withdraw municipal lists to block LFI, rejecting calls from government figures for strategic stand‑downs.