French judicial council issues unfavorable opinion on Dati reinstatement
French judiciary council rejects Dati reinstatement amid corruption charges.
Event / Politics
Rachida Dati Judicial Reinstatement Case
France's Conseil supérieur de la magistrature issued an unfavorable opinion on former Justice Minister Rachida Dati's request for reinstatement into the judiciary and appointment as special advisor on European and international affairs, citing her involvement in ongoing criminal proceedings related to corruption and illegal lobbying allegations.
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2026-10-13 to 2026-10-28 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 13 Oct, 15:38 UTC
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What happened
Rachida Dati faces corruption charges related to Renault lobbying
Rachida Dati is under criminal investigation for alleged corruption and illegal lobbying on behalf of Renault and its then-CEO Carlos Ghosn while she served as a European Parliament member from 2009 to 2019. She received 900,000 euros between 2009 and 2013 through a fixed compensation agreement. She denies the charges, but prosecutors have requested four years of imprisonment (two years with possible adjustment), five years of ineligibility from public office, and a ban on practicing law. The Paris criminal court is scheduled to render its decision on January 21, 2027.
French Superior Council of the Judiciary issues unfavorable opinion on Rachida Dati's reinstatement
The Conseil supérieur de la magistrature (CSM) issued an unfavorable opinion on October 13, 2026 regarding Rachida Dati's request to be reinstated into the judiciary. The CSM cited her involvement in an ongoing criminal procedure as the primary obstacle to her proposed position as a special advisor to the European Affairs delegation within the Justice Ministry's General Secretariat. The CSM's opinion is advisory; the final decision rests with Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, who rarely overrides such opinions.
Dati's reinstatement bid challenged by French magistrates' union
The Union syndicale des magistrats, France's primary judges' union, expressed concern over Rachida Dati's reinstatement proposal. The CSM also noted that the special advisor position had not been subject to open recruitment procedures, raising questions about the nomination process's transparency and propriety.
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