Dn the previous government, that of Jean Castex, the Ministry of Economy and Finance had a State Secretariat devoted to “the social, solidarity and responsible economy”. Entrusted to Olivia Grégoire, this Secretary of State was less concerned with the social and solidarity economy (ESS) than with the promotion of a “responsible capitalism”materialized in 2019 by the Pacte law and the possibility for companies to broaden their purpose beyond the sole profit of the partners.
The SSE has not seen any significant progress, although examples abound everywhere in France of “responsible” structures in which human and financial resources are first focused on the quality of service and the contribution to the interest of the community.
In the new government, led by Elisabeth Borne, Minister Bruno Le Maire did not want the ESS in Bercy. The ESS remained absent from the government for several days, until we learned of the surprise appointment of Marlène Schiappa as “Secretary of State to the Prime Minister, in charge of the social and solidarity economy and the community life “.
Exit responsible capitalism, return to community life and citizenship. Exit, too, the attachment to Bercy. But, if we are to believe the statements of Marlène Schiappa and political journalists, it was less the SSE that worried Emmanuel Macron and Elisabeth Borne than the need to have a personality in government capable of scrapping with the opposition and the media in a difficult political context. In short, the SSE has existed in law since 2014, but, in fact, it does not interest anyone politically at the national level.
Demographic and economic reality
Fortunately, the communities, which see the immediate contribution to their territories, are more attentive. Because the SSE is a demographic and economic reality present everywhere. Its scope, which brings together associations, cooperatives, mutuals, foundations and “social utility” commercial structures, is estimated at almost 10% of gross domestic product and 15% of jobs in France.
We all know, around us, a myriad of associations or organizations that take care of our seniors without triggering a scandal like Orpea, with statutes that we don’t necessarily know well, cooperatives in the schools of our children or for our food, mutual insurance companies that provide us with or supplement healthcare reimbursements. There are more than 27 million of us who are members of our mutual bank (Credit Mutuel, Credit Agricole, Banques Populaires, Caisses d’Epargne, etc.).
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