But why does he have to choose? Because an internal rule within the PS prohibits the accumulation of an executive mandate in a municipal college – mayoral mandate for example – of a city with more than 50,000 inhabitants and a mandate as a member of parliament. The Charleroi federation has even been more drastic than the party since it prohibits its members from accumulating these mandates regardless of the size of the city or municipality governed. This is a rule that Paul Magnette himself had voted through within his federation several years ago. The only mandate that is immune from this rule: the party presidency. Faced with three potential mandates, Magnette will therefore only be able to keep two – the presidency and the mayorship or the presidency and a mandate as a federal member of parliament.
Paul Magnette: “A series of disasters are hitting the Belgians”
Fighting with the right
The question would not arise if the PS were in power at the federal level. Indeed, the role of a majority MP is not always very rewarding and often resembles a game of button-pressing. But the prospect of crossing swords, from the opposition, with a majority comprising the French-speaking right (MR) and the Flemish nationalists (N-VA) must tempt a Paul Magnette who is rather at ease in oratorical jousts.
And what about Charleroi? That’s the whole problem. At the head of the city since 2012, Magnette has apparently had enough of the role of mayor. The municipal councils, the opposition and even the local Charleroi mate are apparently annoying the man who, back in 2012, hesitated to say that he would take over the reins of the city when he was promised the top spot in the municipal elections.
Twelve years after his choice, Paul Magnette will still be able to say that he has partly transformed the city – he is responsible for attracting numerous European subsidies for the transformation of the Palais des Beaux-Arts district while he was Walloon Minister-president – and that his time has now come to an end.
Especially since two potential successors exist and would be willing to take back control of Charleroi’s destiny. First of all, there is Thomas Dermine. Still Secretary of State for the federal government in current affairs, he was elected to the Walloon Parliament and would not be very keen, we are told, on the idea of sitting in opposition for the next five years – but he tells him the opposite. The young elected official has been able, in recent years, to make a name for himself at the national level. Bilingual, he has never hesitated to go on a television set in Flanders. With a good result in the regional election, Thomas Dermine therefore has several assets.
Paul Magnette on the MR’s “unscrupulous” electoral strategy: “When you win like that, how do you govern?”
There is also Julie Patte, the good soldier of the local PS who is currently replacing Paul Magnette at the head of Charleroi. Hardworking and rather popular locally, it would not be scandalous to entrust her with the keys to the city, if of course the PS were to be able to occupy the mayoral office again after the election. Julie Patte still seems less well placed than Thomas Dermine to succeed Paul Magnette, if necessary. Let us remember that to be mayor in Wallonia, you have to be the person who has collected the most preferential votes on the strongest list within the majority.
For the time being, we would be heading towards a PS list where Dermine would occupy first place, Julie Patte second and Paul Magnette third.
A post-election revolt?
There is yet another element to take into account. If the party’s results were to be generally bad on the evening of the local elections in October, the continuation of Paul Magnette as president of the PS will inevitably be questioned. Several socialist barons would be ready to discuss it in an offensive manner, we are told. However, Magnette still said in The Free in July that “Local elections will be the results of our teams in 262 Walloon municipalities and 19 Brussels municipalities. I have not heard anyone say that it was the party’s responsibility to make its lists win in all the municipalities. The party is in support, in support. If I told the municipalists that we were going to take care of their campaign, they would send me packing”.
In theory, Paul Magnette is not wrong. But electoral failures, whatever the causes, often constitute a moment of questioning in a party. To be strong in the face of a possible post-election revolt, shouldn’t Magnette garner as many votes as possible in the local elections? And it is at the top of the list that he has the best chance of achieving this. Even if it means leaving the mayorship to Dermine after the election. But should he say so? The question is not simple for the Carolo.
