Bernard Bellec
# Bernard Bellec

Bernard Bellec (8 May 1934 – 23 February 2023) was a French politician of the Socialist Party (PS).

## Biography

Born in Hayange on 8 May 1934, Bellec began his professional career with the Mutuelle d'assurance des instituteurs de France [fr]. He was president of Smacl assurances [fr] from 1996 to 2009.

A member of the PS, Bellec became Deputy Mayor of Niort in 1971 before becoming Mayor in 1986 after the sudden death of his predecessor, René Gaillard [fr]. He was re-elected in 1995 despite a dispute with party leader Ségolène Royal. He was re-elected again in 2001 but resigned on 6 December 2002 following pressure from party activist Étienne Bonnin. From April 2001 to October 2002, he was President of the Communauté d'agglomération de Niort [fr].

In 1993, Bellec was the PS nominee for the National Assembly in Deux-Sèvres's 1st constituency, but lost in the second round to Jacques Brossard [fr].

Bernard Bellec died in Niort on 23 February 2023, at the age of 88.

## Distinctions

* Commander of the Legion of Honour (1998)
