The MR sets up shop in Eghezée this week, with Mr Rudy Delhaise. This municipality, located on the border of the provinces of Walloon Brabant and Liège, combines nature and heritage and continues to attract new residents. A meeting with its dynamic mayor, who is fully committed to his municipality.
Hello Rudy, having been elected as alderman and then as mayor during the previous term, you were re-elected with a strong majority, having improved the score of your list “Ensemble pour Vous” while consolidating your absolute majority. That is a remarkable achievement, and your track record speaks for itself in terms of efficiency and commitment. Could you tell us about your journey, both at municipal level and within the liberal family? Furthermore, what priorities have you set for Eghezée since taking office, and what concrete results can you already point to?
My political involvement began in 2000, when I was elected as a municipal councillor. In 2006, citizens placed their trust in me to serve as alderman, before entrusting me with the role of mayor in 2018. In 2024, that trust was renewed with even greater strength, as our list went from 13 to 16 seats out of the 25 that make up the municipal council.
Since taking the helm of the municipality, my priority has always been to be 100% available for my mandate. I am a full-time mayor. This is essential to stay close to the citizens, be present on the ground, follow up on issues daily, and make concrete progress on projects.
My goal has always been to improve residents' quality of life, strengthen Eghezée's appeal, and foster pride in belonging to our municipality. This involves significant investment in our infrastructure, road safety and mobility, as well as support for community associations, sport and culture.
The results are visible today. Eghezée has been ranked the 38th most dynamic municipality in Wallonia out of 262. Our population continues to grow, our shops are thriving, our villages remain lively, and we maintain a very sound financial position, allowing us to invest heavily without compromising the future.
That means one simple thing: people come to Eghezée… and they stay.
Eghezée is a magnificent municipality whose population is continuously growing and whose cultural projects are renowned. As a reminder, it comprises 18 villages. These villages have a rich and dynamic community sector that loves to celebrate and hold festivities. Could you shed some light on the challenges ahead as you see them, as well as your vision for the future of your municipality?
The main challenge for Eghezée in the coming years will be to manage its growth without losing its soul.
Every year, new families choose to settle here. That's excellent news, but it also means we must preserve what makes up the strength and identity of our municipality.
This strength lies above all in our 18 villages. Each has its own history, traditions, associations, events and local life. This human richness is exceptional and forms the true driving force of our municipality.
We must enable young people to continue living in Eghezée, families to thrive here, and our elderly to grow old under the best conditions. But we must also preserve that village spirit whereby residents know each other, meet one another and get involved in local life.
Our ambition is not to become a city. We want to remain a large rural municipality where most villages still have a school, where neighbours greet each other in the morning, organise street parties, and where associations create bonds between residents.
My vision is that of a modern and dynamic municipality that nevertheless remains deeply attached to its roots, its villages and the quality of life that gives it its reputation today.
Eghezée is also a particularly dynamic municipality, beyond all the cultural activities taking place there. Green spaces, mobility projects, car parks, a renowned music academy: so many projects that are alive, progressing and taking shape. How does the municipality manage to reconcile these projects with its status as a rural and natural municipality?
The key is to have a clear and coherent vision for the development of our territory.
We know that Eghezée will continue to develop in the coming years. Our responsibility is therefore to organise this growth intelligently so that it improves the living environment without undermining what makes up our identity.
One of the most emblematic projects is the redevelopment of the old station district. We want to create a genuine central square there, a place for meeting and conviviality with more green spaces, better integration of the RAVeL network, facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, terraces and spaces capable of hosting numerous events.
For the first time in its history, the municipality has sought European funding to bring this project to life. Works are expected to begin in 2027.
This approach is part of a broader reflection through the update of our municipal development scheme. This will set out the main guidelines for the coming years to ensure the harmonious development of our territory.
Our goal is simple: to strengthen the appeal of Eghezée's centre, develop modern infrastructure and quality public spaces in Eghezée (centre), while preserving the rural character of the other 17 villages.
I am convinced that development and rurality are not incompatible. When well thought out, projects actually make it possible to enhance quality of life and prepare for the future without giving up our identity.