With a compelling character, political talent and outspoken criticism of President Nicolas Sarkozy, Human Rights Minister Ramatoulaye Yade is emerging as France’s most popular political figure. She had never run for political office until chosen by Sarkozy as a spokesperson for his presidential campaign. Yade was appointed as France’s first-ever minister for human rights in May 2007. Her father is a Senegalese diplomat and politician. Despite her Muslim faith, she was educated at a Catholic school. Some warn that like Rachida Dati, the other high-profile “minority” minister, her popularity may wane quickly.
