Rachida Dati, who serves as the mayor of the 7th arrondissement and has been the Minister of Culture, has officially announced her departure from the government as she prepares to run for mayor of Paris. This decision comes ahead of the first round of voting scheduled for March 15, which Dati had long indicated she would leave the government before. As the campaign intensifies, her departure marks a significant shift as she focuses entirely on her candidacy for the municipal elections taking place on March 15 and 22.

Despite her established political background and public support highlighted by a recent Ifop poll that showed her as the likely winner in most scenarios, Dati faces increasing competition from both the right-wing nationalist candidate Sarah Knafo from Reconquête and centrist Pierre-Yves. This competitive landscape suggests that Dati will need to strategize effectively to maintain her front-running position as the elections approach.

Dati's move not only underscores her commitment to her campaign but also illustrates the dynamics at play within the context of Parisian politics. The municipal elections stand as a pivotal moment for Dati, as she aims to solidify her political legacy and respond to the challenges posed by her opponents in the run-up to the election dates shortly ahead.