She became one of the youngest mayors in Belgium at 27 years old: Victoria Vandeberg was elected in Jalhay when she was only 4th on the MR list. The young woman dethrones the mayor who has been in office for 12 years, Michel Fransolet, also MR… A look back at this surprise victory.
Victoria Vandeberg, 27, is now one of the youngest mayors in Belgium. It is the time of consecration for the young mayor, her party is organizing an evening to congratulate the new elected officials.
Compliments are pouring in from all sides: for her colleagues, the young woman fully deserves her victory. Above all, Victoria Vandeberg managed to beat the mayor of her own party, who had been in office for 12 years. “She's up to it“, confides a college who worked with her in Minister Jeholet's office.
“It is obviously a nice surprise and a confidence that is granted by the citizen. And it’s a trust that requires significant work subsequently, and that’s what we’re obviously going to do from December 2“, she confided when she had just collected her mayoral scarf.
We went to Jalhay, to Victoria Vandeberg, the day after the municipal elections, a few weeks ago. Along the roadside and in the fields, his face is everywhere in this town which has 8,700 inhabitants.
A surprising victory
Drama on the evening of the results: it's a cold shower for the outgoing mayor, he will not be re-elected. Victoria Vandenberg emerges victorious. The candidate's best friend tells her the news.
“I had difficulty believing her at first, I told myself that it wasn't possible. But it was indeed the case and it was great news, obviously. His face (to the outgoing mayor, editor’s note) at that time? A bit of disappointment, especially since his work over these 12 years was good. We had different profiles and obviously, the people of Jalhay wanted change.“, she explains.
Tomorrow, the sign at his workplace will be replaced by “bureau de la burgomaster”. One thing is certain: for Victoria Vandeberg, it is time to dust off politics.
We must give young people a chance
She is considering her new role.perhaps in a different way than the current mayor, but above all I see the function being very close to the population. It seems essential to me to be in contact and to have the feeling“. The latter, of course, used social networks to campaign. On Instagram, TikTok or Facebook, the young woman spoke directly to voters, particularly the youngest.
But the online campaign didn't do everything. She also thanks her parents who put up all these election posters. “When we were at supper and we heard a minister on the talk show, she would immediately leave the table to go listen. She knew ministers better than comics and all those stories“, remembers his father, moved.
What do the residents think?
A new mayor, certainly, but not just any mayor. Victoria Vandenberg is particularly young. What do the residents think?
“Why not, we must give young people a chance“, estimates a resident. “The young people responded and I am sure that she will respond for them and for our community. Make way for youth!“, concluded another.
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