The new municipal coalition in Molenbeek wants to combat social inequality, improve social housing, institute differentiated property tax, and support local economic initiatives.
The new ruling majority, PS-Vooruit-PTB-Molenbeek Autrement, wants to focus on combatting poverty and precariousness in Belgium's second poorest municipality.
Together, PS and PTB had 23 seats out of 45, and needed another coalition partner to secure a more comfortable majority. Having now joined them, the Molenbeek Autrement list shored up the numbers, with the new municipal council having been sworn in last Sunday.
"After Mons and Forest, now Molenbeek! PTB enters a new progressive majority, alongside PS-Vooruit and Molenbeek Autrement," said party leader Raoul Hebdebouw on social media.
Coalition leaders, speaking in a press conference on Friday, allocated roles among its members for the next six years. PS Mayor Catherine Moureaux will oversee prevention, francophone education, civil registry, and legal affairs.
She will be supported by Amet Gjanaj, responsible for economy and employment, personnel, internal Audit, international relations, and culture.
Saliha Raïss (Vooruit) will handle territorial development, public works, mobility, and Dutch-speaking competences. Mohamed Kalendar will manage sports, green spaces, social action, health, and seniors.
Dirk De Block, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean mayor Catherine Moureaux and Ahmed El Khannouss during the installation of the new city council of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean on Friday 06 December 2024 in Brussels. Credit: Belga / Hatim Kaghat
Left-wing PTB’s Dirk De Block will be the First Deputy Mayor, coordinating housing and municipal properties.
Other PTB members include Josiane Dostie (urban planning, equal opportunities, IT, administrative simplification), Mohammed El Bouzidi (cleanliness, energy, environment, climate), and Oular Diallo (youth, social cohesion, participation).
As anticipated since Thursday, Ahmed El Khannouss (Molenbeek Autrement) will serve as the leader of CPAS. He will pass the baton after five years to Taoufik Hamzaoui.
Fellow party member Abdelakrim Haouari, who served as the Finance Alderman from 2012 to 2018, will again take on this critical role to address the challenges facing this western Brussels municipality.
