13 October 2024 marked a turning point for Virton: the list “Citoyens engagés”, led by Étienne Chalon, achieved an absolute majority (51.59%) and gave him a resounding personal victory, with 1,506 votes, the best score in the municipality. Let's discover this new mayor!
You achieved the highest personal score in the municipality, carried by a list that broke with tradition. What led Virton to choose you so strongly, and what does that commit you to?
It comes from ongoing work close to the people, listening carefully to the needs and expectations of the population, and diligent work to better understand the issues in order to improve our citizens' living environment. There was also a desire for change among a population deeply disappointed by the results of the previous majority.
This commits me and my team to doing our utmost not to disappoint the population.
- With a solid majority in hand, what are your priority projects for this term?
Our priority projects concern the cleanliness and upkeep of our municipal property, namely buildings, roads, parks and gardens, and playgrounds, to make our living environment more pleasant.
Our forests, real economic lungs for Virton, will receive substantial investment to maintain their productivity and resilience to climate change.
We will also pay particular attention to housing by offering modern accommodation and attracting new families. Providing housing solutions for young and old will be an absolute priority for Virton, whose population has been stagnating for many years.
By granting subsidies, we will encourage new doctors to settle here to safeguard the health of our citizens.
- Located in the heart of the Gaume region, between rurality and administrative centrality, Virton occupies a special place. How do you manage this balance between its role as a district capital and its deeply local roots?
The municipality must take on a central role in coordinating public services. It must invest in organising events with an intercommunal reach. This requires openness, the ability to bring surrounding municipalities together and to carry projects for the entire territory.
At the same time, we must not lose our own identity: our history, our culture and our residents' expectations. Thorough knowledge of our area, closeness to citizens and attentive listening will remain at the heart of our concerns.
- Looking ahead to 2030, what would the ideal Virton look like in your view? Which indicators will let you measure whether your term is bearing fruit?
What will Virton look like? Like the Virton of my childhood, where life was good!
Our efforts regarding housing supply will result in a growing population, attracted by our pleasant, calming living environment in a natural and protected setting. Nature, with its meadows, forests and rivers, will attract more tourists.
New doctors will have settled to meet our population's health needs.
The cleanliness of our living spaces and the upkeep of our municipal property will be strengthened.