France’s Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, is set to stand trial on charges of corruption and abuse of power tied to secret lobbying for the Renault-Nissan automotive group during her time as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). The Paris criminal court will officially begin proceedings following a scheduled pre-trial hearing on September 29, 2025, in what promises to be a landmark case blending high-level politics, corporate power, and public accountability.
The charges center on alleged illegal compensation of nearly €900,000 (approximately $1 million) that Dati received between 2010 and 2012, while serving as an elected EU lawmaker. French prosecutors believe the payments, made through a Dutch subsidiary of Renault-Nissan, were meant to secure political influence and promote favorable EU policies for the automaker.
A Timeline of Influence: Lobbying Allegations and MEP Conduct Rules
The allegations against Dati span her tenure as an MEP from 2009 to 2019, a role she assumed after leaving her post as France’s Justice Minister under President Nicolas Sarkozy. During this time, it is claimed she received substantial legal fees under the guise of consultancy, yet failed to perform services that could justify the payments.
European Union regulations strictly prohibit MEPs from engaging in paid lobbying or consulting on matters that could influence legislative decisions. Prosecutors argue that Dati violated these rules by allegedly lobbying for Renault-Nissan interests within the EU Parliament, actions deemed incompatible with the impartial role of an elected representative.
The legal inquiry began after a shareholder of Renault SA raised concerns about the legitimacy of the payments, prompting a six-year investigation. French magistrates examined internal communications, financial documents, and EU proceedings before concluding there was enough evidence to send Dati to trial. She has consistently rejected all accusations, with her defense team framing the case as politically motivated and “lacking credible evidence of criminal wrongdoing”, according to her lead attorney.
Carlos Ghosn’s Role: A Parallel Path in the Courtroom
Closely linked to the Dati affair is the case of Carlos Ghosn, the former CEO of Renault-Nissan, who is also expected to stand trial for alleged misuse of corporate assets. Prosecutors contend that Ghosn personally authorized the questionable payments to Dati in what they view as part of a broader effort to curry influence in European regulatory spaces.
Ghosn, once a towering figure in the global auto industry, gained global notoriety after fleeing Japan in 2019 while under house arrest for financial misconduct charges. He currently resides in Lebanon, which does not extradite its nationals, making his participation in the French proceedings uncertain. Nonetheless, the charges remain active, and French authorities continue efforts to pursue legal accountability.
Despite these hurdles, Ghosn maintains his innocence. His legal representatives have labeled the charges as part of a
“campaign to scapegoat a successful executive amid internal corporate power struggles.”
Dati’s Political Future at Stake
The trial comes at a particularly sensitive moment in Dati’s political trajectory. As a prominent figure in French conservative politics and an influential member of President Emmanuel Macron’s cabinet, she is widely seen as a potential candidate for the 2026 Paris mayoral elections. However, the looming trial threatens to derail her political ambitions and cast a long shadow over the campaign season.
Political analysts note that Dati’s legal troubles could become a major liability for her party and undermine public trust, especially if the trial overlaps with the municipal election timeline. Though she has vowed to continue her work in the Ministry of Culture, critics and opposition leaders have begun to question whether a minister facing criminal trial should remain in government.
Her defense team has announced plans to appeal the decision to proceed to trial. They reiterated in a public statement that
“Minister Dati categorically denies the allegations and views this judicial move as part of a targeted campaign to undermine her political career.”
Legal Framework and Constitutional Protections
Under French law, all individuals — regardless of their status — are subject to equal treatment in criminal proceedings. Dati, like any defendant, is entitled to the presumption of innocence and a fair trial under both French constitutional law and European human rights conventions.
The trial is expected to include evidence gathered from years of surveillance, financial audits, and internal Renault-Nissan communications. Legal experts anticipate a highly complex and closely watched proceeding, given the high-profile nature of both defendants and the political implications involved.
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that the case will be handled under standard criminal procedure, emphasizing the
“independence of the judiciary and adherence to due process as fundamental pillars of the rule of law.”
Public and Institutional Reactions
The case has elicited strong responses from across France’s political spectrum. Members of the National Assembly have called for greater transparency in political appointments and campaign financing, while watchdog organizations have renewed calls for stronger regulations on lobbying activities by elected officials.
Transparency International’s French chapter issued a statement declaring,
“This trial is an opportunity for France to reaffirm its commitment to political ethics and accountability at the highest levels of public service.”
Civic groups and media outlets have also drawn attention to the broader issue of corporate lobbying in EU institutions. The Dati affair, they argue, illustrates systemic vulnerabilities that enable private interests to penetrate public policymaking, often without sufficient oversight.
The Renault-Nissan Connection: A Case Study in Corporate Influence
Renault-Nissan has long played a pivotal role in Europe’s automotive sector. With operations spanning multiple continents and thousands of employees across France, its influence in policy circles has grown over the past two decades. Yet this case poses serious questions about how that influence has been wielded—and whether it crossed legal or ethical lines.
French prosecutors believe that Ghosn and senior executives at Renault-Nissan viewed Dati as a gateway to EU lawmakers and regulations, particularly in matters relating to vehicle emissions, trade policy, and electric mobility subsidies. The €900,000 payment, they argue, was not for routine legal advice but rather a concealed lobbying contract.
For Renault-Nissan, the case represents another reputational challenge following years of internal turmoil and leadership upheaval since Ghosn’s departure. While the company itself has not been charged, its role remains central to the judicial narrative, and any new revelations could affect investor sentiment and public trust.
Implications for EU Oversight and MEP Conduct
This trial is likely to have ramifications far beyond France, potentially impacting how lobbying and conflicts of interest are monitored within EU institutions. Calls for a more robust and transparent regulatory framework have grown louder, especially as public confidence in political accountability faces new tests across the continent.
The European Parliament has faced previous lobbying scandals, but few have risen to this level of financial scale or political exposure. Advocacy groups are now urging reforms that include mandatory public disclosure of all external engagements by MEPs, more frequent audits, and clearer enforcement mechanisms.
As political scientist Camille Roche noted in an interview with Le Monde,
“The Dati case underscores the blurred boundaries between political service and private interest in the EU. It’s a wake-up call for Brussels and all member states.”
What Comes Next
The hearing scheduled for September 29, 2025, will determine the formal structure and timeline of the trial. Given the scope of the charges, legal experts anticipate that proceedings may extend well into 2026. Multiple witnesses, forensic accountants, and possibly other political figures may be called to testify as the court examines the alleged misuse of influence and public office.
Until the trial concludes, Dati remains legally presumed innocent. Nevertheless, the case casts a long shadow over her career, her ministry, and the ongoing debate about ethics in European politics.
For Carlos Ghosn, the trial will likely proceed in absentia unless diplomatic or legal breakthroughs enable French prosecutors to question him in court. His continued absence highlights the challenges of transnational justice in cases involving powerful individuals and multinational corporations.
As the French judiciary prepares to open proceedings, the public and media will be watching closely—not just for the outcome, but for what the trial reveals about the nexus between politics, business, and ethics in modern governance.
