Maud Gatel, MoDem's leader in Paris, announces her endorsement of Rachida Dati, the Republicans' candidate, for the 2026 Paris municipal elections. She believes Dati is the only one who can enable a change from the left. This support highlights convergence on priorities like debt reduction and climate adaptation.
Maud Gatel, president of the MoDem and independents group at the Paris Council (eight members) and secretary general of François Bayrou's party, announced her support for Rachida Dati in an interview with La Tribune Dimanche on December 14, 2025, for the March 2026 municipal elections. "It is time to open a new chapter, and we have found ourselves in Rachida Dati's proposals," she explains.
Gatel highlights Paris's current issues: degradation of public spaces, flight of families, budget wall, and dysfunctions in child social services. "Our capital is no longer administered. Paris is a jewel. As mayor of Paris, Rachida Dati will restore its luster," adds the former deputy. She emphasizes convergence between their projects, with Dati committing to adopt MoDem priorities, such as debt reduction to adapt the city to climate change and ending anarchy in public spaces.
For Gatel, Rachida Dati, current Minister of Culture and mayor of the 7th arrondissement, is "the only candidate who makes alternation possible," unlike Pierre-Yves Bournazel, Horizons candidate supported by Renaissance. This stance is bolstered by the electoral reform adopted in the summer, allowing direct election of the mayor. Asked about a potential alliance with Bournazel in the second round, Gatel states that "Rachida Dati has clearly said that the first-round list would be the same as the second-round one".
An Ipsos poll for Le Parisien, published on December 13, gives the left list led by Emmanuel Grégoire 32% of voting intentions for the first round on March 15, 2026, ahead of Dati's list supported by MoDem at 27%, Bournazel at 14%, and Sophia Chikirou at 13%.
This endorsement strengthens Dati's candidacy on the right, amid divisions on the right and expected left dominance.