French Culture Minister quits to focus on run for Paris mayor

Rachida Dati resigned as France’s culture minister to focus on her bid for Paris mayor, with Emmanuel Macron accepting her departure and offering his support. The frontrunner in the race, Dati now turns her attention fully to the March municipal election.

Reuters

February 26, 2026

French Culture Minister quits to focus on run for Paris mayor

Rachida Dati, candidate supported by Les Republicains (LR) and the MoDem parties for Paris 2026 mayoral election, speaks during a hearing by the French employers' federation MEDEF in Paris, France, February 6, 2026

Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters

French Culture Minister Rachida Dati quit her post on Wednesday to focus on her candidacy for Paris mayor in an election scheduled for March 15.

She sent her resignation letter to President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday, she said in an interview with TV station BFMTV.

Macron's office said he accepted the resignation.

"The head of state thanked her for the useful action she has carried out in service to the French people over the past two years and offered her his full support in the fight she is waging," the office said.

Dati, who most recently oversaw the change at the helm of the Louvre Museum after a series of crises, is seen as the frontrunner in the race to helm city hall by pollster Ifop, but not until after a second round of voting set for March 22.

-Reporting by Inti Landauro; Editing by Mark Porter/Reuters