From 1 January 2025, Francophone centrist party Les Engagés will prohibit its members from receiving both parliamentary and local executive salaries.
The party announced the move in a press release on Monday, emphasising its commitment to "political sobriety."
Starting next year, all federal and Walloon MPs of Les Engagés who are also members of a municipal council will forgo their salaries as mayor, alderman, or CPAS president while retaining their parliamentary salary.
Legally, local officials cannot forgo their salary, the statement clarified. They will therefore continue to receive it in full, but must donate it to their local CPAS or chosen associations. Alternatively, they can transfer the funds to the party's national office, which will redistribute them to social, environmental, or philanthropic groups.
"Parliamentarians should set an example, beyond advocating for a more humane and just society," said party leader Maxime Prévot. "Combining the role of MP with that of a mayor keeps them connected to local issues, which can then be relayed at the federal or regional level. However, this dual role should not be driven by financial gain."
This new measure will affect ten mayors, including Maxime Prévot (Namur), Benoît Lutgen (Bastogne), François Huberty (Neufchâteau), and Benoît Dispa (Gembloux).
