Rachida Dati resigns as Culture Minister to campaign for Paris Mayor

Rachida Dati, the Minister of Culture, officially announced her resignation from the government on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, to fully dedicate herself to her campaign for the Mayor of Paris. The first round of the municipal elections in Paris is scheduled for March 15.

Key points

• Dati stated that the coming weeks are decisive for Paris and her candidacy, aiming to campaign "24 hours a day, 7 days a week".
• Her departure was expected, following that of Amélie de Montchalin, who left after being nominated to the Cour des comptes.
• Dati emphasized that "the fight of my life is Paris" and called on voters to elect her in the first round to establish a dynamic of alternation.
• President Emmanuel Macron thanked her for her service over the last two years and offered encouragement for her campaign.

Why it matters

This move signals the final, intense phase of the Paris municipal election campaign, with a key government figure stepping down to focus entirely on local politics.