Abdelmalek "Malek" Boutih (; born 27 October 1964) is a French retired politician and activist who served as a member of the National Assembly from 2012 to 2017, representing the Essonne department. He previously was the Socialist Party's National Secretary for Social Issues (French: Secrétaire national chargé des questions de société) from 2003 to 2008. He also has had a long association with SOS Racisme, a civil rights organisation with close ties to the Socialist Party. He joined in 1984 while a student at the University of Nanterre and served as vice president from 1985 to 1992 and as president from 1999 to 2003. Boutih is known for his honesty and generosity; he is appreciated on both sides of the aisle for his patriotism and frankness. President Nicolas Sarkozy asked him to enter the French Government in 2007 but he refused, preferring to focus on his social activism. Early life and education Malek Boutih was born in a clinic in the wealthy neighbourhood of Neuilly-sur-Seine, although his family did not live there. He later chose to return to Neuilly-sur-Seine to attend La Folie-Saint-James high school (lycée). He was born of Algerian parents from Kabylie. His father was an FLN sympathiser and after independence, his parents went to France seeking work. His father worked in the building industry and his mother as a cleaner. At the age of 9 months old he contracted poliomyelitis while his family was living in the slums of Nanterre, and later, Boulogne-Billancourt. He endured multiple operations until the age of 12 years. As a Deputy, he gave financial support to the Antony rehabilitation centre where he was cared for as a child. Activism At the beginning of his study of Law at the University of Nanterre and at the École supérieure de journalism de Paris, he became involved in activism and community work. In 1983 he took part in the March for Equality and Against Racism. Joining SOS Racisme in 1984, he became its vice-president from 1985 to 1992 and founded the Grigny Maison des Potes ("mate's house" — emergency accommodation) and the Banlieues du Monde association. He was editor-in-chief of the newspaper Pote à Pote ("Mate to Mate") for several years. On 6 February 1990, he appeared on the TV talk show Ciel, mon mardi !, a program that specialised in confrontation between people with opposing views. His time as head of SOS Racisme was