Audrey Henry has officially taken office as the new mayor of Schaerbeek after being sworn in before Brussels’ Minister of Local Authorities, Bernard Clerfayt, on Wednesday morning.
As part of an agreement between the liberals and socialists, Henry (MR) will serve as mayor until 1 February 2028, after which she will hand over the position to Hasan Koyuncu (PS).
On Wednesday evening, the municipal council will inaugurate the entire municipal council of MR/Les Engagés-PS-Ecolo/Groen-LB, which Audrey Henry will lead until the end of her term.
Originally trained as a lawyer, Henry moved to Brussels several years ago from Wallonia and gained extensive experience in the offices of Didier Reynders, then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, and Sophie Wilmès, who became Prime Minister at the end of 2019 during the Covid-19 crisis.
Under Prime Minister De Croo’s government, she served as the communications director for Deputy Prime Minister David Clarinval.
A candidate in the 2019 federal elections, Henry was thrust into the spotlight in September when the leading liberal candidate, Hadja Lahbib, withdrew to focus on her role as the future European Commissioner.
Emerging from the shadow of the former foreign minister was a significant challenge just a month before the elections.
However, the MR-Engagés list led by Henry exceeded expectations, finishing second, on par with the PS in terms of seats, but receiving slightly fewer votes overall.
Henry personally garnered 2,615 votes, placing her behind only Hasan Koyuncu (3,832 votes) and Bernard Clerfayt (2,617 votes) in terms of preferential votes.
