With these astonishing first words, the mayor of the 7th arrondissement of Paris immediately sought to reassure the world of culture, which she has just taken charge of. It is true that the new boss of this ministerial portfolio so dear to French culture is not exactly experienced in the matter, but she has arguments. Morocco is rejoicing, France, less so.
Her appointment as Minister for Culture in the «land of the Enlightenment» on 12 January caused a stir. In Parisian political circles as well as among major players in the cultural world, doubts linger regarding her competence in the field. Ever since the announcement of the minister's appointment, there has been dismay: «the actress Anna Mouglalis is horrified, like many of her peers. She writes: «No way! Anyway, the culture has been well and truly destroyed, but it remains alive and its function is to resist«, whilst Anne Hidalgo, being more ironic, wishes «best of luck» to loyal followers of scholarship in the arts. Another complaint came from the lawyer Charles Consigny, a former LR legislative candidate: «It's a two-fingered salute to the cultural world, there is something funny about Rachida Dati's appointment to Culture,», is he having fun: «I imagine him in meetings with the film snobs who parade through his office all year round to get money. I imagine him with the ‘woke’ directors asking for money for their new play about trans identity on the moon on odd-numbered days, I find it amusing. It is true that as far as being woke goes, with Rachida, we'll have to wait a while.
She has the ambiguous reputation of always going it alone and this time it would appear that she is more isolated than ever among her peers. We know of course that the lady's ambition is not limited to what she considers a «modest» ministry. She has held more important ones, such as the Ministry of Justice under Nicolas Sarkozy, where she was Keeper of the Seals from 2007 to 2009. Her political weight on the chessboard was solid; today, it is a little less so. This is the fault of Éric Ciotti, the President of The Republicans, who promptly expelled the traitor from the party. To understand Ciotti's reaction, who likely views Rachida Dati as an abominable weather vane, one must remember that recently, Dati mocked Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti, who she felt was too lenient with offenders. «Let's go!» she would say then, «what is it? Left-wing traitors, right-wing traitors. That's what this party is!» A traitor, herself? Probably. But would she then be the only one in this sphere to have turned her coat? The minister often plays for herself and it is sometimes hard to keep up with her. One must nevertheless grant her a few qualities: energy, tenacity, fighting spirit and determination. She likes to fight, that is a fact, and her new objective within her ministry is interesting: to embody a less elitist popular culture. But make no mistake. Her real ambition, which is far more important to her, remains that of winning Paris in 2026. There is even talk of a deal with Emmanuel Macron to that effect. It is whispered that she has secured the assurance of being the Macronist candidate for the municipal elections in Paris in 2026. Not so certain, because at the same time... etc.
A love affair with Morocco
In Rabat, things are clear. It's no secret, Rachida Dati is very much liked. People have admired her journey, her combativeness as a young woman from an immigrant and working-class background, who rose to the highest political responsibilities in France. Her point was understood after her appointment to Culture, when she declared: « We cannot despair of having a gigantic integration problem in France and regret an appointment like mine to Culture», with reference to her working-class and immigrant background. Her French detractors from all sides had better watch out; she considers herself, rightly or wrongly, to be the victim henceforth of a veritable «social disdain». Her modest background and Franco-Moroccan upbringing touch hearts here. When she declares: «We have an integration problem that it is useless to deny, including for French children who feel totally excluded from the republican pact, she is scoring points in Rabat, and when she considers that culture «is one of the answers to the integration problem. Culture must be disseminated across all regions, to all audiences, and especially to those who are furthest from it.», she is applauded by all Moroccans who are sensitive to her generous speech. Those in Morocco who have family members in France find renewed hope for a better intellectual future for their diaspora. And, at the same time, Emmanuel Macron, who is never one to be outdone, joins Moroccan public opinion regarding the qualities of his new Culture Minister: «a woman from a diverse background who would embody movement and action. He can no longer bear those ministers who are captives of their civil service and come before him to recite briefing notes that revolutionise nothing. He wants to do away with overly technical ministers, and above all break with that «bobo media-icon intelligentsia». The essential thing in his eyes: to have a personality who has a story to tell, who has risen through culture.» Explain a close friend. After all, why not? Another event had already set Morocco ablaze for Rachida on 5th May, during her visit to the Kingdom with Éric Ciotti. In opposition to the foreign policy led by Emmanuel Macron, these two famous political figures had stated without hesitation that they recognised the kingdom's sovereignty over Western Sahara. These remarks were picked up by the press in recent days when it rejoiced at the appointment of the former Keeper of the Seals to the Ministry of Culture. One appreciates her entry into the government here. Perhaps one sees in it another nudge that could help France take the step in favour of recognition by France of the Moroccan status of the Sahara.
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