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