Jean-Christophe Bouissou Explained

Jean-Christophe Bouissou
Office4:Vice-President of French Polynesia
President4:Édouard Fritch
Term Start4:15 November 2021
Term End4:15 May 2023
Predecessor4:Tearii Alpha
Successor4:Eliane Tevahitua
Birth Date:28 October 1960
Party:Tāpura Huiraʻatira

Jean-Christophe Matahuira Bouissou (born 28 October 1960) is a French Polynesian politician and leader of the Rautahi political party.[1] He was Vice-President of French Polynesia from 2021 to 2023.

Education and early career

He received his degree in information and mathematics from Graceland University in 1984. His political career began shortly afterward and in 1998 he became Minister of Housing. He went on to become a Labour minister in 2000.[2]

Crises and aftermaths

From 26 October 2004 to 16 February 2005 he was spokesman of the Flosse government, right after the fall of Oscar Temaru’s government due to a motion of censure on 9 October 2004.[3] At that time he also served as Interior Minister and the period has been referred to as one of turmoil.[4] In September 2005 he launched a new pro-autonomy party, the Rautahi party.[5] Although he had been in Flosse's government, by 2010 the two expressed criticisms of each other and had become political rivals.[6]

In October 2007 he was fined for corruption, after favouring his half-brother in social-housing allocation in 2002 while housing minister.[7] In 2013 he was charged with corruption again over his links to New Caledonian businessman Bill Ravel.[8]

In September 2014 he joined the government of Edouard Fritch.[9]

In November 2021 he was appointed vice-president, replacing Tearii Alpha.[10]

In July 2023 he was charged with illegal taking of interests for allegedly using his ministerial position to promote the Ecoparc tourism project in exchange for money.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tahiti Presse . 2010-12-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101018150247/http://en.tahitipresse.pf/2010/10/french-polynesias-autonomy-not-doing-well-bouissou-says/ . 2010-10-18 . dead .
  2. Web site: Assemblée de la Polynésie française, Profil du représentant Jean-Christophe BOUISSOU . 2010-12-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101008195808/http://www.assemblee.pf/personnalites/profil.aspx?id=142 . 2010-10-08 . dead .
  3. News: French Polynesian government to bring charges against ousted administration . 27 October 2004 . RNZ . 26 October 2021.
  4. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2004/11/01/1232466.htm ABC.Net
  5. Web site: French Polynesian opposition loses another assembly member . RNZ . 19 September 2005 . 26 October 2021.
  6. News: War of word dogs French Polynesia politics . 16 April 2010 . RNZ . 26 October 2021.
  7. Web site: French Polynesian party leader Bouissou fined for corruption . RNZ . 31 October 2007 . 26 October 2021.
  8. Web site: Tahiti's Bouissou charged with passive corruption . RNZ . 18 January 2013 . 26 October 2021.
  9. Web site: New govt in French Polynesia named . RNZ . 17 September 2014 . 26 October 2021.
  10. Web site: Fritch names Bouissou as new VP of French Polynesia . RNZ . 15 November 2021 . 5 December 2021.
  11. Web site: Bouissou et Auroy rattrapés par Ecoparc . Tahiti Infos . fr . 11 July 2023 . 19 July 2023.