In addition to that of mayor Thomas Dermine, two new faces will appear in the PS, a third among the majority partner Les Engagés. Ultimately, there is no surprise from the leader, except in the distribution of skills. A sharing which was only revealed at the last minute, after internal caucuses at the PS since things had already been stopped for some time with the Engagés. While some aldermen got more or less what they wanted, others had little or no choice. The partners want to limit the risks: the upcoming term risks being very complicated, particularly on a budgetary level. Especially since the MR-PTB opposition will be tough, we had a foretaste of it this Monday during the last council.
Thomas Dermine only takes over part of Magnette’s responsibilities: apart from Security which emerges from his function, he keeps Urban Planning, Budget and Communication but takes over Economic and Metropolitan Development as well as Education superior. If First Alderman Julie Patte retains basic education, free time and training, she trades neighborhoods and participation for culture.
Second alderman Les Engagés, Éric Goffart takes over the function for which he had pleaded for creation during the campaign: a grouping of Roads, Works, Nature in the city and Cleanliness which give the new aldermanship of the Living Environment. No change for Karim Chaïbaï who remains alderman for Sports, Infrastructure and Youth.
Fifth in the order of precedence, Babette Jandrain will manage quite diverse subjects: Neighborhoods and Participation, but also Tourism, International Relations, Ecological Transition and Animal Welfare. Behind her, Mahmut Dogru had to make concessions: that of Cleanliness. He recovers the Civil Status and Citizenship, the Cemeteries as well as the Markets, but inherits the Buildings that no one wanted. And Finance, a regal subject if ever there was one. The future will tell us if the challenge turns into a ball chained to the foot. Alicia Monard returns with a completely renewed portfolio. The Mobility that is there is not really a gift. It also has Road Safety and Early Childhood.
Charleroi: outgoing alderman Xavier Desgain eases the pressure in his latest responses to written questions from the Municipal Council
Then come the new ones: Maxime Felon, president of Sambrienne twice removed from the college path, is this time invested. He will be the new alderman for Festivals and Folklore, Protocol and Patriotic Associations with the addition of Heritage. Ayse Aktas will follow in the footsteps of Alicia Monard from whom she takes on several responsibilities: Equal Opportunities, Family, Integration, People with Disabilities and Health. Finally, the Committed install another alderman: outgoing group leader on the municipal council, Tanguy Luambua will be in charge of Town Planning and Housing as well as Commerce.
Philippe Van Cauwenberghe will be able to continue his mandate under the same conditions: the presidency of the CPAS is accompanied by Social Cohesion and the Elders’ policy. We see it: not all aldermen will have the same boat to maneuver. Some people’s mules were loaded. The new ones are doing well and should not encounter any storms during the crossing. But among the experienced, some are heading into turbulence: for example, Buildings and Mobility will not be easy. Skills are disappearing: Employment, Social Economy or Digital Development for example. But this could be refined during the drafting of the city project which will be co-constructed in the coming weeks.
Nathalie Monforti president of the municipal council
In their majority pact, the PS and Committed partners must also designate a president of the municipal council: it will be a woman, the opening candidate on the PS list. Former President of Charleroi, Nathalie Monforti presented the ideal profile to embody authority and manage debates, which is no picnic either.
Who will be the group leaders? At the PS, it is not yet decided. Maxime Hardy, who is completing his term at the college, is one of the favorites, but his return to the council is not yet assured; he could in fact be prevented by a new professional challenge. Among the Engagés, the decision is made: it will be Manon Choël.
