France's controversial culture minister to run for Paris mayor in 2026

FRANCE 24 English

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00:00 She was just recently named France's new culture minister in a surprise appointment to Emmanuel

00:05 Macron's cabinet.

00:06 But Rachida Derty has her sights set on a different post after announcing she's running

00:12 for mayor of Paris in 2026.

00:15 "I'm an elected official in Paris.

00:18 My objective is Paris.

00:21 I'm determined to bring together all those who want things to change in Paris.

00:25 It's in three years' time, of course.

00:27 I've always said so.

00:28 It's not a career plan.

00:30 It's not a matter of notoriety."

00:33 Having served as justice minister under Nicolas Sarkozy and a key figure on Paris' right,

00:39 Derty's surprise return to government as culture minister caused some controversy as she was

00:44 charged with corruption allegations in 2021 over dealings with former Renault chief Carlos

00:49 Ghosn, though she denies involvement.

00:52 Her mayoral candidacy comes just one day after the French president's primetime press conference

00:58 where a journalist probed him about rumours of striking a deal with Derty.

01:02 "Rachida Derty, who served in government a decade or so ago, can I ask why appoint her

01:08 in this position in this government job?

01:11 And what's changed since 2017?

01:13 François Bayrou was asked to leave the government under formal investigation, but Derty is currently

01:19 under investigation and she's been appointed?

01:22 And then there's rumours of a deal between you both about the mayor of Paris job."

01:29 Macron insisted the Paris mayoral job hadn't been discussed and defended her appointment

01:34 to France's culture ministry, citing her energy and character.

01:37 and what is happening.

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