Juliette Rees is from Tubize, comes from a family of self-employed entrepreneurs, and has just become the youngest alderwoman of the municipality of Tubize. Restoring finances, modernising public services, new economic projects: there is much work to be done. And this summer, she invites residents to rediscover Tubize in a new way, through friendliness, culture and local initiatives.
I'm originally from Tubize, where I grew up, went to school, and where my family is deeply rooted. My grandfather, my mother and my father are all self-employed: I grew up in this entrepreneurial environment, which is why I consider myself a liberal at heart.
Although I had never been politically active before, I have always been interested in economic and societal issues. I completed a master's degree in management at UMONS, and then naturally started working in the real estate sector, a field I'm passionate about and in which I wanted to follow in my family's footsteps.
2024 marked a real turning point in your life. You took over the presidency of the local MR section, ran for the first time in the municipal elections, and were sworn in as the youngest alderwoman on the college. What made you want to get involved in politics? And how are you experiencing this new role?
Honestly, I never imagined I would go into politics one day.
Then, discussions within the team proved decisive: through much exchange, I realised I was on the verge of leaving the municipality where I was born, so little did I recognise myself in it anymore. That's when I told myself that, rather than complaining about what wasn't working, why not act and become an agent of change by trying to bring concrete solutions?
At first, the campaign was, for me, a challenge, without any particular personal ambition or idea of what it might lead to. I simply wanted to set myself a challenge and support the liberal family.
I'm a very reserved, very shy person, and putting myself through an election campaign, with direct contact with people, was for me a way to step out of my comfort zone. I'm convinced that we grow by stepping a little further out of that zone each day.
Very quickly, everything accelerated: I was elected president of the local MR section, which somewhat 'forced' me to push myself and dive in quickly. It happened very fast, but today I don't regret it for a second. I was very surprised by my result in the elections, having had no political training, but I think this simply shows that I wasn't the only one feeling this need for change in our municipality. Citizens, like me, wanted a breath of fresh air, a new perspective.
So I decided to commit myself 100%, putting my other activities on hold to devote myself fully to this new role. I've always loved challenges, and this one is exciting. At first, I had to familiarise myself with the responsibilities entrusted to me: the environment, culture, civil registry… fields that weren't part of my original background, I come from the world of finance and real estate, but I believe it's precisely this outside perspective that can be useful. I want to learn, understand and, above all, bring new ideas, more concrete solutions, sometimes drawn from the private sector, and from a citizen's point of view.
And finally, I believe that being young, being a woman, and not having been politically 'shaped' also allows me to approach things with a different perspective. This mandate is a real opportunity, and I take it on with great responsibility… and enthusiasm.
Now that the MR is part of the majority in Tubize, what are the priority projects you want to bring to fruition during this term? What vision do you have for the municipality? And how does it differ from that of your predecessors?
Since we took over, the contrast with previous majorities is clear: our vision is different, and so is our approach. The priority is first and foremost to restore municipal finances, which were in a very worrying state. For us, good management means healthy finances. That doesn't mean being austere, but being fair, responsible, and capable of pursuing an equitable and sustainable social policy.
At the same time, we want to promote a long-term vision for Tubize. One of the flagship projects of this term is, of course, the Tubize Outlet Mall (TOM), planned for 2029. This development is closely linked to an essential mobility project: the town's northern bypass. Together, these two projects will reshape the area and bring real economic dynamism.
But our ambition goes further. We also want to modernise public services and adapt them to the real needs of citizens and the growing population. Much of the infrastructure is outdated, poorly located, and not very accessible, particularly for people with reduced mobility. That's why we've already taken a first step by acquiring a new municipal depot, better suited to the town's current size.
Our long-term goal is to create a new administrative centre: a centralised, modern, accessible place that would bring together all municipal services. At the same time, we want to rethink cultural venues, such as the library, currently housed in a completely unsuitable space. The idea would be to create an integrated cultural space, with a redesigned library, digital areas and genuine openness to citizens.
What sets us apart from our predecessors? A commitment to efficiency, transparency, and above all a clear vision for the future, anticipating tomorrow's needs. Offering a more functional, more attractive, more ambitious town, while remaining deeply human.
To make the most of summer in Tubize, do you have any good spots or activity ideas you'd recommend for rediscovering the town?
Exactly, that's a focus we really want to develop: giving citizens the chance to (re)discover Tubize in a different way. We often hear that Tubize is seen as a dormitory town, close to Brussels but where 'not much happens'. And that's what we want to change.
Our ambition is also to restore genuine pride in being from Tubize. Creating connections, moments of friendliness, places where people want to meet up, enjoy themselves, relax.
For summer, I warmly recommend the Vendredis de l'Été held on the Grand-Place. Each Friday brings a different atmosphere: a pétanque tournament, activities for children, themed evenings like the Italian night… all in a super friendly setting, with music, drinks, food and, above all, good spirits. It's free, open to everyone, and a great opportunity to get together with friends, family, or even meet new people.
Another event that's growing in scale is the DJ Festival, held this year on 27 June. It's proving to be a real success, and we hope to make it the flagship event of the Tubize summer in the coming years. It's a fine symbol of the renewal we want to bring about.
Finally, for those who love the countryside, good wine and local discoveries, I highly recommend a visit to Domaine W. It's an award-winning vineyard (gold medal for the best Chardonnay in Europe), which holds festive afterworks every Thursday evening in a magnificent setting. It's a real local gem still unknown to many.
In short, Tubize is bursting with hidden gems, and our goal is precisely to help people (re)discover them!