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 . He was president of 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, . 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 . In 1993, Bellec was the PS nominee for the National Assembly in Deux-Sèvres's 1st constituency, but lost in the second round to . Bernard Bellec died in Niort on 23 February 2023, at the age of 88. Distinctions Commander of the Legion of Honour (1998) References 1934 births 2023 deaths Mayors of places in Nouvelle-Aquitaine Socialist Party (France) politicians People from Hayange Commandeurs of the Légion d'honneur