The Flemish socialist party Vooruit has announced that the former Mayor of Vilvoorde Hans Bonte will replace Melissa Depraetere as Housing, Energy and Climate Minister during her maternity leave. Last week it was announced that Ms Depraetere would be taking maternity leave with immediate effect.
Former Mayor of Vilvoorde will replace Housing and Energy Minister during her maternity leave
Published:
63-year-old Mr Bonte is currently a member of the Flemish Parliament. He will take over responsibility for housing, energy, climate, youth and tourism in the Flemish Government until Melissa Depraetere returns to her post in around 6 months’ time.
At a press conference held just before noon on Monday, the Flemish socialists’ leader Conner Rousseau said that the announcement that Mr Bonte would be stepping into Ms Depaetere’s shoes during het maternity leave met with “rapturous applause”. Mr Bonte said that he was “a little bit touched” by the “warm reaction” from party colleagues. He added that Mr Rousseau and Ms Depraetere asking him to step into the job during her absence is “a great token of appreciation”.
Starts straight away
Mr Bonte believes that his experience will serve him well during the coming months. He was Mayor of Vilvoorde, a town just north of Brussels, for 12 years. During his time on Vilvoorde council he got to know the former Prime Minister, the late Jean-Luc Dehaene (Flemish Christian democrat). Quoting the late Mr Dehaene, Mr Bonte said that “Really, Vilvoorde id the laboratory of Flemish politics. I am absolutely ready for this”.
Mr Rousseau stressed that there are many major challenges ahead with regard to affordable housing, energy and purchasing power. As Mr Bonte is currently chair of the Flemish Parliament Select Committee covering the same topics as those in Ms Depraetere’s ministerial portfolio he is able to take over as her temporary replacements straight away.
It is the first time that a minister has been appointed to replace another minister that is on sickness or maternity leave. In the past when a minister had to take leave of this nature the responsibility for their portfolio was split among the other ministers of their party that are in the government. However, in this case it was thought that making the other socialist minister Caroline Gennez responsible for Ms Departere’s portfolio would, on top of the responsibilities that Ms Gennez already has, be too much for one person.
Mr Rousseau was keen to stress that Mr Bonte’s appointment is “budget neutral” and it won’t cost the taxpayer anything extra.