In Namur, David Clarinval was not wearing his hat as Deputy Prime Minister of the federal government, but that of federation president, after 11 years at the helm of the MR in Namur. The common thread of his speech lies in one image: in 2024 the MR scored a try, but now it must be converted.
In other words, the electoral victory only matters if it translates into concrete decisions. David Clarinval therefore stresses that the MR is “at the helm” at every level: municipalities, province, Wallonia, the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, federal and European level.
The other key message is a warning against complacency and following the crowd. The MR, he recalls, is guided neither by dogmas, nor by health insurance funds, nor by trade unions, but by an unapologetic liberalism firmly rooted on the ground. 2026 will be a “demanding” year: the reforms require persuasion, consistency and courage, but they aim for a Belgium where work is better valued, where effort is recognised, and where the future is no longer sacrificed to short-term political comfort.
Finally, David Clarinval puts activists back at the centre. With 14 mayors and 28 majorities in the province of Namur, the MR enjoys exceptional local roots, but that is not an end in itself: he asks them to explain, to convince, to “hold firm” when the reforms come under attack, recalling that the MR has always won when it remained true to its values. 2026 must become, he says, “a year of results, credibility and liberal pride.”
Find his full speech here
Hello everyone, dear friends. It is always a great pleasure to meet you again for the traditional New Year's reception. Welcome all here to Temploux. I would like to address Anne Barzin to tease her a little: the roads in Bièvre are still better cleared of snow at our place… I think we could give you some tips. But jokes aside, it has now been 11 years since I have had the pleasure of being your provincial president. Together we have gone through many stages: joys, victories, but also more difficult moments. But we have never forgotten that the very essence of a political party is to change things, to make decisions that will improve the future of our country and its citizens. So let me make a confession: since becoming your federal MP, I have rarely experienced a moment like this one, a moment when our party can truly influence the course of events and make the decisions we have long been waiting for. Thanks to the magnificent electoral victory of 2024, we have been able to establish a strong presence at every level of power. But as with a try in rugby, this victory must now be turned into concrete achievements. And that is exactly what we are doing. Because today, at every level of power, we are engaged in an unprecedented reform process. And this can be seen here in Namur and in most of the municipalities of our province, where we are leading ambitious reforms and energising our local authorities. And it can be seen at the provincial level, where Sabine Laruelle and Mélanie Havenne, together with our 12 provincial councillors, have literally put the pedal to the metal to bring the provincial institution into its new form. And it can be seen in Wallonia and in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation with Adrien Dolimont and, of course, our minister from Namur Cécile Neven, but also with Valérie Glatigny at the Wallonia-Brussels Federation and our President of the Walloon Parliament, Willy Borsus. Cécile, by the way, to whom I wish a happy birthday. You should know that today is her birthday. Happy birthday, Cécile! This team can count on the energy and commitment of our regional MPs: Stéphanie Thoron, Gregory Chintinne, Valérie Warzée-Caverenne, Vincent Maillen. But it can also be seen in the federal government where, together with my colleagues Eléonore Simonet, Mathieu Bihet, Bernard Quintin, our roadmap is clear: to make this legislature one of valuing work, strengthening the competitiveness of our economy, securing our towns and countryside, and our energy supply. The list of reforms under way is substantial, and we can rely daily on the support of Charlotte Deborsu and Christophe Bombled, our federal MPs from Namur, to see them through. But it can also be seen in Europe with our Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, our MEPs Sophie Wilmès, Olivier Chastel, and our MEP from Namur, Benoît Cassart, who bring plenty of common sense to the European chamber and, let's admit it, common sense is what they will need given the current geopolitical and economic developments in the United States, China and the rest of the world. Dear friends, many of you are our links on the ground. You, provincial, municipal and CPAS representatives. Let us not forget, the MR is the leading French-speaking party in terms of local representatives. In the province of Namur, with our 14 mayors and our 28 majorities, we can be proud of this local foothold. This connection to the ground is essential to inform our thinking and guide our decisions. We are guided neither by dogmas, nor by health insurance funds or trade unions. Our guiding thread is an unapologetic liberalism, rooted on the ground and geared towards action. 2026 will be a demanding year. The reforms we are carrying forward require consistency, persuasion, and also courage. But they have meaning. They outline a Belgium where work is rewarded, where effort is recognised, where citizens are respected, and where the future is not sacrificed on the altar of political comfort. We are not here to manage decline, but on the contrary, to put the country back on its feet. We are not here to follow public opinion, but to stand by our choices. I say this sincerely: we have never needed you as much as we do today. Because it is always easier to criticise from opposition than to act and take responsibility within a governing majority. So I am counting on you, on your commitment, on your presence on the ground, on your ability to explain, to convince and to hold firm. The MR has always won when it has remained true to its values. Together, with clarity and determination, let us make 2026 a year of results, credibility and liberal pride. Happy new year to all. A small gift for those who knew, or guessed, that it was Cécile's birthday: happy birthday, Cécile!