The leading union in the cultural sector, the CGT Spectacle, has issued a clear appeal to the artists, technicians, administrative staff, and reception staff of the Avignon Festival: refuse to perform if Culture Minister Rachida Dati were to appear in the City of the Popes.
In a press release, the union denounces a government policy deemed destructive for the cultural sector, and calls for the resignation of the minister, accused of leading budget cuts with consequences "catastrophic" for live performance.
A preventive strike notice has been filed covering the entire duration of the festival, from July 7 to 26, according to details from the CGT Spectacle.
A minister weakened on several fronts
The union's appeal comes amid a tense political climate for Rachida Dati. In early May, the minister stated on France Inter that no budget cuts had been made within her ministry. But this statement was strongly contradicted by industry professionals, who denounced a reduction in resources for cultural institutions, national drama centers, registered theaters, and, more generally, a worsening of the precariousness of the performing arts sector.
For its part, Rachida Dati's entourage responded by denouncing a "political tract" riddled with inaccuracies, ensuring that the union's criticisms are more a matter of political hostility than an objective analysis of current cultural policies.
The minister is also weakened by persistent legal troubles. On June 28, the investigating chamber of the Paris Court of Appeal rejected her appeal against the National Financial Prosecutor's Office, which is calling for her to be referred to a criminal court for alleged corruption related to Carlos Ghosn, former CEO of Renault-Nissan. The final decision on whether or not to refer her to court now rests with the investigating judges.
Public broadcasting reform: another political failure
Another explosive topic: For several months, Rachida Dati has been pushing a controversial project to merge public broadcasting companies (France Télévisions, Radio France, INA, France Médias Monde) under a single holding company. This bill, contested by numerous employees and unions, was rejected by the National Assembly on July 1st, following the adoption of a preliminary motion of rejection voted jointly by the left and the National Rally.
Despite this setback, the minister affirmed that the reform "is not abandoned", specifying during a trip to Suresnes (Hauts-de-Seine) that the bill had been adopted in committee in the Senate, and that it would therefore continue its legislative process.
