Jacques Van Gompel, former mayor of Charleroi, dies at 79

Jacques Van Gompel, the former Socialist mayor of Charleroi, passed away on August 21, 2026, at the age of 79. A long-time political figure in Belgium, Van Gompel served as a municipal councilor, deputy, and alderman before becoming acting mayor in 1995 and mayor in office in 2000.

His political career was marked by significant challenges. Following his re-election in 2006, he resigned amidst the ‘Charleroi Affairs,’ a series of investigations into municipal dysfunctions. During this period, he was detained for 22 days and faced numerous charges. In 2016, a court issued a simple declaration of guilt but noted the absence of personal enrichment. He was eventually judicially rehabilitated in 2021, which cleared his criminal record.

Charleroi’s current mayor, Thomas Dermine, praised Van Gompel as a ‘great man’ and a ‘precious compass’ who maintained an authentic connection with the citizens. After retiring from active politics in 2012, Van Gompel remained involved in the local associative and economic sectors and was named honorary mayor in 2022.