French Culture Minister Addresses Budget Cuts and Public Broadcasting Reform

Catherine Pégard, France's Minister of Culture, acknowledged significant challenges due to a reduction in the cultural budget for 2026. Speaking on France Inter on March 30, 2026, she noted the allocation has decreased by 173.4 million euros from the previous year, bringing the total to approximately 3.7 billion euros, excluding audiovisual funding. Pégard, who assumed her position in late February following Rachida Dati's departure, emphasized the difficulty of the situation but committed to making her remaining year in office productive. She is already preparing for the 2027 budget, aiming to prevent further reductions and secure additional subsidies where urgently needed. Key issues on her agenda include public broadcasting reform. While she supports the concept of a holding company to consolidate France Télévisions, Radio France, and INA—a proposal initiated by her predecessor—she indicated this structural change is not imminent. Instead, her immediate focus is on consultations to redefine public service objectives and improve operational efficiency. Pégard also commented on a parliamentary inquiry into public broadcasting, expressing concern over the contentious nature of recent debates. With no parliamentary majority and limited time before the next election, she faces constraints but remains determined to advance cultural priorities during her tenure.