Rachida Dati's potential connections to GDF Suez may have played a role in the initialization of an arms agreement with Patrick Cohen.
The fiery debate on "C à vous" on France 5 took an unexpected turn on June 18, when Culture Minister Rachida Dati clashed with journalist Patrick Cohen over accusations against her. The atmosphere became heated, as Dati, who is set to run for the Paris mayoralty in 2026, counterattacked by referencing an article from Mediapart published in February, alleging tensions at France Inter and connections to Cohen's management of the station's morning show.
In the escalating exchange, Dati stated, "You could also be subject to this offense (of harassment). It would only take me filing an article 40 report following this Mediapart article. I can take it to court (...), I can do it" — a direct reference to Article 40 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which requires any public official to report any offenses they become aware of in the exercise of their duties to the prosecutor.
Questionable Financial Transactions
The ensuing fray came amidst reports of two suspicious transactions in 2010 and 2011, involving Dati receiving €149,500 each from GDF Suez, credited to a law firm's accounts[3]. These payments were allegedly for her consulting services but were not included in her mandatory declarations to the European Parliament, which could suggest a potential conflict of interest.
: "Dati honoraires GDF Suez": The questionable payments received by Rachida Dati from a law firm, revealed by "Complément d'enquête" The investigation focuses on the nature of the services Dati provided for the law firm in return for these payments. Critics claim that the minister actively supported the gas sector, of which GDF Suez is a part, while serving as an MEP[3].
Accusations of Omission
Former President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, launched an internal investigation over these allegations, stating, "Rachida Dati lied by omission to the European Parliament that I presided over, as she did not declare this significant sum for her consulting activities in her mandatory declaration of resources."[3]
Dati has systematically denied any payments from GDF Suez and dismissed accusations, most recently on Tuesday, calling the elements put forward by "Complément d'enquête" and Le Nouvel Obs "totally defamatory." She emphasized that the documents in question had already been examined by the justice system during investigations into the Carlos Ghosn case[3].
Direct Attacks on Journalists
Dati's aggressive defense sparked immediate backlash, with both media groups and political figures expressing their concerns. She argued, "Many elected officials, many deputies, many candidates for major elections are also lawyers. Has anyone ever shown an interest in their activity?" and accused Patrick Cohen and "C à vous" of unfair methods[3].
The attacks on the press were even more virulent the following day, as Dati stated on CNews and Europe 1, "I, unlike you, have given answers." On the substance, she explained that the elements discussed by "Complément d'enquête" and Le Nouvel Obs were part of the same case and that the Renault case, unrelated to her, was closed[3].
Rachida Dati, the trailblazing politician with diverse experiences in law, politics, and public service, finds herself embroiled in controversy surrounding her financial dealings and public confrontations with journalists covering these allegations[1][2]. These controversies have raised questions about her ethical standards and the transparency of her finances during her time as an MEP, casting a shadow over her political career and public image.
"The controversy surrounding Rachida Dati's financial dealings in the past continued to make headlines in the French and general news, with crime-and-justice reporting on questionable payments she received from GDF Suez in 2010 and 2011. The news showed that Dati received €149,500 each, allegedly for her consulting services but not declared in her mandatory declarations to the European Parliament."
"As the debate on these allegations intensified, Dati's comments on the French politics scene expanded to include direct attacks on journalists, such as Patrick Cohen, accusing them of unfair methods and focusing undue attention on her aspects of her life unrelated to her politics while ignoring similar activities by other elected officials."
