Le Parisien: Police raid French Culture Minister home, office in corruption probe

In France, officers from the Central Office for Combating Corruption and Financial and Tax Offenses (OCLCIFF) conducted searches at the home and office of Culture Minister Rachida Dati as part of a corruption probe.

The investigation, which began on October 14, involves suspicions that Dati received €299,000 from major energy group GDF Suez (now Engie) between 2010 and 2011 while serving as a Member of the European Parliament. Dati denies all charges, Le Parisien reports.

According to the outlet, in September 2026, Dati and former Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn are set to face trial on influence-peddling charges related to alleged lobbying of Renault’s interests in the European Parliament. The court suspects Dati of receiving €900,000 from the automaker between 2010 and 2012.

Dati, 60, aims to become the second consecutive female mayor of Paris in the March 2026 municipal election, seeking to succeed Socialist mayor Anne Hidalgo, 66, who will step down after two terms. 

Since early 2024, Dati has served as culture minister under four prime ministers, most recently under Sébastien Lecornu.

By Jeyhun Aghazada