It was a major part of the top managers reform proposed by Jacqueline Galant, Minister for the Civil Service: the number of mandate positions had to fall. A first phase has now been approved in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation: the number of mandate positions in top management will fall from 60 to 46, a significant decrease of 23%. This is an unprecedented effort in good governance. "Once again, we worked hand in hand with the administration to achieve this first rationalisation. This effort guarantees the continuity of missions and the proper functioning of the administration. In a period of overall efforts, it is essential that the administration be exemplary. There were clearly too many political appointments in our administrations, and I am pleased that we are scaling back " said Minister Jacqueline Galant.
A pillar of the top managers reform
Several months ago, on a proposal by Jacqueline Galant, the Government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation adopted, at first reading, the reform of top management in the civil service. The main pillars were: the end of the CMP, openness to talent from civil society, the introduction of performance-based pay, the introduction of a trust contract,… AND the rationalisation of structures and top manager positions.
Without waiting for the second reading of this reform, the Government approved an initial 23% reduction in top manager positions at the Ministry of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. Specifically:
| Current situation (number of mandate positions) | Situation after the reform (number of mandate positions) | |
| General Secretariat | 18 | 14 |
| General Administration of Justice Houses | 4 | 4 |
| General Administration of Youth Assistance | 7 | 6 |
| General Administration of Sport | 5 | 3 |
| General Administration of Culture | 9 | 5 |
| General Administration of Education | 17 | 14 |
| 60 | 46 |
By going from 60 to 46, the Government confirms a 23% reduction in mandate positions while ensuring the smooth continuity of services. This is an unprecedented effort in good governance.
"A mandate is not meant to be a job for life, it is limited in time. By abolishing these mandate positions, we are accelerating our approach to depoliticising the administration. We could go even further in the coming months " concludes Jacqueline Galant, Minister for the Civil Service.