Elected as an MP in 2019, she thus became the youngest parliamentarian in the south of the country.
In September 2022, she announced her move to Thuin, with the firm intention of getting involved in local politics.
In October 2024, she became mayor of her town.
This week, we meet Rachel Sobry.
After more than 20 years of absolute majority, the PS was sent into opposition following the agreement between the MR and Les Engagés. It's a real bombshell for Thuin. Can you explain to us how things unfolded for you on 13 October and in the days that followed?
Indeed, the socialists had held the absolute majority in Thuin for 24 years. We immediately felt the scale of this political earthquake - our agreement with Les Engagés, which pushed the socialists into opposition - as soon as the election results came in.
They showed that two parties gained ground (the MR, which went from 5 to 8 seats, and Les Engagés, which went from 4 to 5 seats) and two parties lost (the PS with 2 seats and Ecolo, which disappeared entirely from the municipal council). We immediately noticed that together with Les Engagés we could form a majority and, even better, that the mayoralty was within reach. From the very evening of the election, we chose, together with Les Engagés, to prioritise negotiations between the two winning political parties. So we sat down at the table the very next day, and the discussions went very naturally. We were able to offer them a political balance in which they felt respected. By Thursday evening, the agreement was sealed.
Just a few more days of patience before the new team takes office - what will be the main challenges facing Thuin?
There are several, but the first lies on the human level, for this completely renewed executive team. Indeed, 25 years of absolute socialist majority means that most municipal staff have never worked with anyone other than the same people and the same power in place.
And change is frightening, that's only natural.
We know that many projects await us, but I also know that the buy-in of the staff is essential to bring these projects to fruition. The first challenge will therefore be to skilfully strike the balance between reforms (both substantive and in terms of form and working methods) and supporting change, in order to maintain that buy-in. That means taking on and implementing change - since a term only lasts 6 years - without overturning 25 years of history, at the risk of losing the support of my municipal staff.
On substance, I then see two main challenges.
First, increasing the number of childcare places. With a coverage rate of 14 places per 100 children, Thuin ranks among the worst performers in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. These are difficult files, with many standards to comply with and subsidies to secure, but it is essential for young parents in Thuin.
And then, lowering the municipal tax. Here too, with a rate of 8.5%, Thuin is among the most heavily taxed municipalities. That wouldn't bother me if we had an optimal level of public services, but that is far from the case. I want to give purchasing power back to the people of Thuin, because I am convinced that this is the starting point of a virtuous cycle for the municipality, for residents, and therefore for our socio-economic development.
Thuin is best known for the Marche d'Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse Saint-Roch, a local festival held over three days, but if we come to Thuin outside of that festival, what would you recommend?
Thuin has many tourist and cultural assets. Besides the famous Saint-Roch march, I can especially recommend the Hanging Gardens. Recognised as exceptional heritage of Wallonia, they offer a rare landscape dotted with a surprising trail of artworks. Unfortunately, they are too little maintained. Thuin is also known as a boatmen's town; it still preserves the famous Rivage quarter, located on the banks of the Sambre, which is an open-air museum about the boatmen's trade and daily life. We also have the Abbey of Aulne on our territory, as well as the village of Ragnies, one of the most beautiful villages in Wallonia. Passing tourists can also climb all the way up our iconic belfry, which likewise offers a breathtaking view over the entire old medieval town. In short, there's no shortage of activities and breathtaking scenery here; welcome! :-)