Government Rushes to Her Defense
Despite the escalating scandal, the French government swiftly moved to contain the political fallout. Government spokeswoman Prisca Thévenot firmly dismissed any talk of resignation, stating the executive branch "does not wish to see Rachida Dati implicated in a new investigation."
Echoing this support, former government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon earlier told France Inter radio, "There is no problem." She emphasized the principle of presumed innocence, adding, "Rachida Dati has always maintained her innocence, and she is of course innocent until proven guilty."
The Core of the Allegations
The investigation, officially opened on October 14th, centers on serious financial misconduct suspicions. According to the French financial prosecutor's office, the focus is on:
Active corruption and influence peddling
Misappropriation of public funds
Receiving and laundering these funds
The specific allegation is that Dati, while serving as a Member of the European Parliament, received €299,000 in consultancy fees from the French industrial giant GDF Suez (now Engie) without properly declaring the income. This occurred before she returned to the French government as Minister of Culture.
Dati's Fiery Rebuttal
The minister, who is also a candidate for Mayor of Paris, launched a vigorous defense. In interviews with Europe 1 radio and CNews TV, she denounced the accusations as "defamatory."
She claimed the documents fueling the investigation had already been reviewed and validated by the judicial system as part of the unrelated Carlos Ghosn probe, implying the current case is built on old and unreliable information.
A Pattern of Legal Trouble?
This is not Dati's first encounter with judicial scrutiny. She and former Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn had already been ordered to stand trial in a separate case on charges of corruption and influence peddling, related to an alleged advisory role she held for the automotive group.
High-Stakes Fallout
The timing is critical. With her eyes set on the Paris mayor's office, these new investigations pose a severe threat to her political ambitions and reputation. The raids, which also reportedly targeted her ministry offices, signal the seriousness with which magistrates are pursuing the case.
As the investigation unfolds, all eyes are on Paris. The scandal tests both the resilience of a formidable political figure and the French government's commitment to its minister amidst a growing legal maelstrom.