for Rachida Dati’s first trip, Emmanuel Macron defends a “minister at work”

During a very political visit to Clichy-sous-Bois, marked by a crowd, the Head of State did not hesitate to praise the qualities of the new Minister of Culture.

She enjoys her popularity intact when a young girl tells her that she is a “iconic minister” : “I grew up with you“, continues the teenager, with a laugh from Rachida Dati. He throws himself into a crowd, as he has not done for a long time: “So let’s say hello to everyonee”, says Emmanuel Macron, in a Jacques Chirac-like burst.

For his first field trip since the reshuffle, Emmanuel Macron went to Clichy-sous-Bois (Seine-Saint-Denis) on Thursday January 18 with his new Minister of Culture, a “symbol“of which he boasted”energy” and the “talent“, when Rachida Dati remained silent during their two-hour visit to an artists’ residence.

“I gathered around me a lot of people who sometimes were not with me”

Emmanuel Macron and Rachida Dati in the same photo: a cleverly orchestrated complicity between the president and the minister, and an unthinkable scenario just a few weeks ago. “I gathered around me a lot of people who sometimes were not with me. It’s called broadening, it’s called convincing. We always govern with efficiency and symbols. At the same time, as they say“, specifies the head of state, surrounded by residents and journalists.

The head of state does not shy away from his pleasure with the new star of his government, responsible for speaking to this France about “It’s not made for me.”, denounced during his press conference a few days later from the Elysée. But the president, in passing, calms his ardor, notably for the Paris town hall in 2026.

“There are perhaps some who have political ambitions in 2026 or 2027, but they are full-time ministers. There is no municipal campaign being launched. And so everyone is at work, and she is at work for Culture”

Emmanuel Macron

at franceinfo

Full-time ministersat work“, therefore, and as if to remind us, Emmanuel Macron and Rachida Dati returned together, in the back of the presidential car. On the announcement side, the Head of State wished “open access to culture“around the Olympic Games, with a range of theatre, music and even cinema on offer”completely free” during the “two months of summer“2024. Rachida Dati”will come back in a few weeks with a detailed program” For “open access during these two summer months to culture, not just in Seine-Saint-Denis but throughout the country“, he indicated.

“Culture is at the heart of the republican project” and “at the heart of the project which consists of fighting against house arrest“, insisted the president.”Beyond announcements, we need above all actions“, denounced for his part Stéphane Troussel, PS president of the department of Seine-Saint-Denis, on franceinfo. “I am waiting for action, our communities are doing a lot, the State must do more. This is what I came to hope for during this visit“, he underlined after this visit.