Albert Vecten

Albert Vecten (16 February 1926 – 14 May 2023) was a French farmer and politician of the Union for French Democracy (UDF).

Biography Born in Billy-sur-Ourcq on 16 February 1926, Vecten grew up in a family of farmers with seven sisters and one brother. After starting his degree under the German occupation, he failed to complete his studies and instead returned to his family's farm. After marrying his wife, Bernadette, in Loupeigne, he opened a grain business in Muizon. He was elected Mayor in 1953, the youngest mayor in all of France at the time. He held this office for 36 years, serving until 1989. He notably implemented an industrial zone in the commune, and saw the population increase from 480 to 2255 inhabitants from 1962 to 1990. He also helped to start the .

In 1964, Vecten was elected to the to represent the . In 1982, he was elected President of the General Council. In 1997, the sticker cost 278, as opposed to 600 francs in Cantal. In 1997, 184,500 new vehicles were registered in the department, up from 20,400 in 1995. Vecten claimed he was simply seeking an "administrative simplification", but the Ministry of Finance required rental cars to pay sticker prices from the department in which they were first rented. He also supported the development of the Châlons Vatry Airport. In 1992, he was re-elected under the UDF label. He did not seek re-election in 2001. In 2003, he stepped down as President of the General Council of Marne, and he was succeeded by . He did not seek re-election in 2004 and retired from politics.

Albert Vecten died on 14 May 2023, at the age of 97.