Macron Appoints New Louvre President After Jewelry Heist Scandal

Less than a day after Laurence des Cars resigned as president of the Louvre Museum, French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday appointed Christophe Leribault as her successor, according to aPoliticoreport, citing government spokesperson Maud Bregeon. Laurence des Cars had been under intense scrutiny since an estimated €88 million worth of jewelry was stolen from the Louvre in October, exposing serious security lapses and years of underinvestment. The heist sparked widespread calls for her resignation and increased pressure on Culture Minister Rachida Dati, a leading candidate in next month’s Paris mayoral election. Managing the fallout from the theft quickly became one of Dati’s top priorities. Earlier this month, Dati announced she would step down from her ministerial role to focus on her mayoral campaign. However, according toPolitico, citing three sources familiar with her discussions with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, she has been determined to retain her position for as long as possible. “She wants to appear as the one who resolved the Louvre issue,”Politicoquoted someone close to Macron as saying. Laurence des Cars toldLe Figarothat she chose to resign now to ensure that the Louvre’s ambitious modernisation plans could proceed without distraction. “The Minister of Culture asked me to stay the course during the storm, which I did. I got through this period, I believe, with a cool head. I am calm and proud of the work I have accomplished. But staying the course is not enough,” des Cars was quoted as saying. In a statement acknowledging her departure on Tuesday evening, the Culture Ministry under Dati said the October incident had “destabilised an institution at the heart of our country’s cultural and heritage influence.” “Laurence des Cars’ decision to resign, which was taken in consultation with her supervisory authorities, will allow the museum to begin a new chapter of its history,” the ministry added. Leribault, a professional museum curator and current president of the Château de Versailles, will succeed her. Leribault has previously led the Petit Palais and the Orsay, two of Paris’s most iconic museums. Des Cars will now oversee cooperation between the major museums of the countries involved as part of France’s ongoing G7 presidency, Macron’s office said on Tuesday. With inputs from agencies Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day visit to Israel to strengthen the strategic partnership in defence, technology, and trade, meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu and addressing the Knesset, highlighting deepened ties in recent years. Get the latest stories delivered straight to your inbox.