Marie-Joseph Bissonnier
# Marie-Joseph Bissonnier

Marie-Joseph Bissonnier (25 December 1940 – 27 June 2023) was a French dental surgeon and politician of the Rally for the Republic (RPR) and the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP). In the 2001 French cantonal elections, he became President of the General Council of Ille-et-Vilaine, succeeding Pierre Méhaignerie.

## Biography

Born in Cerdon, Loiret, Bissonnier was a dental surgeon by profession. He was elected to the General Council of Ille-et-Vilaine from the Canton of Plélan-le-Grand in 1979. He was also Mayor of Plélan-le-Grand from 1977 to 1995. He ran in the 1998 French Senate election [fr] on a list with Claude Champaud [fr], Georges Magnant, and Marie Daugan, but was unsuccessful against the preferred right-wing list of Patrick Lassourd [fr], Michel Esneu [fr], Philippe Nogrix [fr], and Yves Fréville [fr].

Bissonnier was elected President of the General Council of Ille-et-Vilaine in 2001, serving until 1 April 2004. He was chosen by his predecessor, Pierre Méhaignerie. In 2004, he was defeated in his re-election bid in the Canton of Plélan-le-Grand by Rozenn Geffroy of the Socialist Party. He was succeeded as President of the Departmental Council by socialist Jean-Louis Tourenne.

Marie-Joseph Bissonnier died on 27 June 2023, at the age of 82.

## Distinctions

* Knight of the Legion of Honour (2004)
* Knight of the Order of Agricultural Merit
