Minister of French Culture Faces Trial Over Allegations of Misuse of Power and Corruption
The upcoming court hearing on September 29, 2025, will decide the exact trial date for France's former culture minister, Rachida Dati. The trial is in relation to allegations of corruption and abuse of power involving payments she received while serving as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP)[1][3].
More specifically, Rachida Dati is accused of accepting €900,000 in lawyer’s fees between 2010 and 2012 from a Netherlands-based subsidiary of Renault-Nissan without performing real work, with suspicions she may have lobbied for the carmaker, which is forbidden for MEPs. She denies the charges[1][2][4][5].
The case is also linked to former Renault CEO, Carlos Ghosn, who is also set to face trial in France[2][4]. Ghosn, the 71-year-old former boss of Renault-Nissan, fled to Lebanon from Japan in 2019 to avoid arrest.
The report suggests that the timing of Rachida Dati's trial might be contingent upon the results of the Paris municipal elections in 2026. Rachida Dati has publicly expressed her ambition to become mayor of Paris in 2026. The Paris municipal elections in March 2026 will determine the next mayor of Paris.
French investigating magistrates are looking into whether Rachida Dati was lobbying for Renault-Nissan in the European Parliament, which is a banned activity. The trial for Rachida Dati, if held after the Paris municipal elections, would occur after the election of the new mayor of Paris.
It is worth noting that Renault-Nissan is the only directly elected body of the European Union. The trial date beyond the September 29 hearing has not yet been announced. Both Rachida Dati and Carlos Ghosn deny all charges against them. French authorities have sought the arrest of both individuals.
References:
[1] Le Monde: "Rachida Dati devra comparaître pour corruption" [2] Reuters: "Rachida Dati, former French culture minister, faces trial over lobbying allegations" [3] France 24: "Rachida Dati to face trial over corruption allegations" [4] BBC News: "Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn to face trial in France" [5] The Guardian: "Carlos Ghosn: former Renault-Nissan boss to face trial in France"
- The upcoming court hearing on September 29, 2025, may have implications for France's general news, politics, and crime-and-justice sectors, as it involves the trial of France's former culture minister, Rachida Dati, accused of corruption and abuse of power, and her possible lobbying for Renault-Nissan, a charge that is forbidden for Members of the European Parliament.
- The painting of Rachida Dati's political future is becoming increasingly complex, as the outcomes of both the upcoming court hearing and the Paris municipal elections in 2026 may influence her ambition to become the mayor of Paris.
- The policy-and-legislation stance on lobbying activities within the European Union, specifically outlined for Members of the European Parliament, will be tested in the court case involving Rachida Dati, who is accused of receiving payments from a Netherlands-based subsidiary of Renault-Nissan, a transaction that appears devoid of actual work, while she served as a Member of the European Parliament.
