He was nominated as Secretary of State for the Civil Service by François Fillon in June 2007.

Fillon thus broke with the misnamed "Balladur jurisprudence" according to which an indicted minister was to resign from his ministerial functions.

Santini had been indicted, along with Charles Pasqua, for corruption concerning the creation of the art foundation Hamon.

[1] Santini's indictment in the Fondation Hamon affair was confirmed in September 2007[2] and in February 2008.

[3] He speaks fluent English and is the nephew of neurosurgeon and general Valérie André.