The recent decision by the investigative office of the Paris Appeals Court to reject a request by French Culture Minister Rachida Dati’s lawyers to end prosecution procedures related to the Carlos Ghosn affair has put Dati in a complicated legal situation. Dati is facing charges dating back to 2021, in which she is under investigation for alleged payments amounting to $950k (€900K) that she received between 2010 and 2012 from a subsidiary of the Renault-Nissan alliance, under the leadership of Carlos Ghosn. The charges against her include “passive corruption by a person who at the time was holding an elective mandate” and “benefiting from abuse of power”.
As a lawyer and former Member of the European Parliament from 2010 to 2019, Dati has vehemently denied the allegations brought against her. Her lawyers have indicated that they will appeal the decision made by the Paris Appeals Court. They believe that the law is on Dati’s side and have advised her to take the case to the court of cassation. Despite the rejection of their request by the investigative office, Dati’s lawyers maintain that this decision does not affect her innocence.
Carlos Ghosn, who is now residing in Lebanon after fleeing Japan in 2019 where he faced corruption charges, has denied any direct involvement with Dati. Ghosn claims that the payments received by Dati were for legal services. The allegations against Dati suggest that she received the money in exchange for lobbying services at the European Parliament.
Rachida Dati’s Political Career
Rachida Dati’s political career has been eventful, to say the least. Previously serving as a spokesperson for center-right President Nicolas Sarkozy and as Justice Minister from 2007 to 2009, Dati was appointed as French culture minister in January by centrist Prime Minister Gabriel Attal. Her appointment caught many in the French culture world by surprise and came shortly after a cabinet reshuffle by President Emmanuel Macron in an attempt to revitalize his presidency.
Since taking on the role of culture minister, Dati has faced challenges, particularly with her proposal for a BBC-style merger of France Télévisions and Radio France under one roof. This move has not been well-received by the state broadcasting sector. Additionally, Dati’s time in the role is set to come to an end due to a snap election called by Macron. The far-right Rassemblement National party is currently poised to win the most seats in the upcoming election, signaling a significant shift in the French political landscape.
Rachida Dati’s legal troubles and political career highlight the complexities of navigating the world of politics. As she continues to defend herself against the allegations brought against her, Dati faces an uncertain future in both the legal and political spheres.