Honorary President of France Active, Christian Sautter is a prominent figure in the social and solidarity economy. A former Minister of Economy and Finance (1999–2000), he also served as Prefect of Paris and the Île-de-France region, as well as Deputy Mayor of Paris (2001–2014). A graduate of École Polytechnique, ENSAE, and Sciences Po, he is Vice President of the Laboratory for the Social and Solidarity Economy (Labo de l’Économie Sociale et Solidaire) and the France-Japan Foundation at EHESS. The author of several books, he combines public service with a passion for economic and social development.
Christian Sautter, Honorary President of France Active, is a prominent figure in the social and solidarity economy and a key player in French public life. A graduate of École Polytechnique, ENSAE, and Sciences Po, he began his career as an economist at INSEE before becoming an Inspector General of Finance.
His interest in Japan led him to become a resident scholar at the Maison Franco-Japonaise and to found the Center for Research on Contemporary Japan at EHESS, enriching academic and economic exchanges between the two countries. The author of several works on the Japanese economy, he combines intellectual rigor with an international outlook.
Christian Sautter also plays a central role in French politics. He served as Technical Advisor and then Deputy Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic under François Mitterrand (1981–1984 and 1988–1990). He continued his public service as Prefect of the Île-de-France region and Prefect of Paris (1991–1993). From 1997 to 2000, he served as Secretary of State for the Budget and later as Minister of Economy and Finance, spearheading major reforms.
At the local level, he distinguished himself during his tenure as Paris Councilor and Deputy Mayor (2001–2014), during which he championed initiatives for social and economic development. As the head of France Active (2001–2018), he played a decisive role in financing and supporting social and solidarity economy projects, reinforcing his commitment to a more equitable society.
Today, as Vice President of the Laboratory for the Social and Solidarity Economy (Labo de l’Économie Sociale et Solidaire) and the France-Japan Foundation at EHESS, he continues to promote an inclusive and innovative economy. In 2023, he published Lettres à nos amis (Éditions Descartes), an inspiring account of his years of service and his deeply held convictions.
