The Flemish Housing Minister Melissa Depraetere (socialist) is to take maternity leave with immediate effect. Ms Depraetere led her party during the 2024 election. In November last year she announced that she was pregnant.
Flemish Housing Melissa Depraetere to take maternity leave with immediate effect
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In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon Ms Depraetere’s party, the Flemish socialist party Vooruit, said that the heavy workload she has as a minister means that the risk of her giving birth prematurely is too great. A party colleague will replace Melissa Depraetere for the duration of her maternity leave. The Vooruit leader will announce next Monday who will replace her.
"The health of her baby is all that counts at the moment. This is why she is taking her doctor’s advice, stopping work today and going on maternity leave”, the party said.
Writing on the social media platform X, the Flemish Prime Minister Matthias Diependaele (nationalist) wished Ms Depraetere "all the warmth and rest she needs. Health and new life always take first place".