Flemish Deputy Prime Minister Melissa Depraetere (Flemish socialist Vooruit) will be temporarily replaced by a new colleague during her maternity leave. A new minister from her own party will take over her responsibilities for a short period. This is the first time this has happened in the Flemish government, Depraetere told VRT.
A few days ago, Depraetere (33) announced that she was pregnant and expecting her first child. The baby is due in April. During her maternity leave, Depraetere's powers will be assumed by a new temporary Flemish socialist minister and that only for several months.
This is the first time such a construction has been approved by the Flemish government. In the past, the powers of a minister on maternity leave were simply assumed temporarily by a fellow minister who was already in office.
In Depraetere's case, her entire portfolio (Housing, Energy and Climate, Tourism and Youth) will be temporarily transferred to a colleague who is not currently part of the Flemish government.
‘There are provisions to ensure a minister can take maternity leave, but in principle I cannot be replaced during that period,’ Depraetere told VRT.
‘When Freya Van den Bossche was a Flemish minister, her powers were temporarily divided between two colleagues. That is not an option now, because my only Vooruit colleague in the Flemish government is Caroline Gennez. We both have a substantial package of powers, so it is impossible for her to take over everything from me.’
‘After agreement by the entire government, it was decided that a replacement could be appointed. I am glad that all my colleagues agree that this is appropriate in this day and age. I myself also think it is important to be at home for a period of time after giving birth.’
It has not yet been decided who will replace Depraetere as a new temporary minister. ‘It is the party leader (Conner Rousseau) who decides. I have made a few suggestions, so I expect him to make a decision soon, also about my deputy prime ministership.’