European Council President's spokesman to become Belgian prime minister's communications director

Barend Leyts, spokesman for European Council president Charles Michel (MR), will become communications director in the office of Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD). This was announced by the press service of the European Council Friday.

Leyts became Charles Michel's spokesman when the francophone liberal became Belgium's prime minister in October 2014. A former journalist at the Flemish commercial broadcaster VTM, Leyts followed Michel five years later to the other side of the Rue de la Loi, where Michel became president of the European Council.

De Croo's current communications director, Tom Meulenbergs, announced three days ago that he would leave the prime minister's office at the end of August to join BNP Paribas Fortis.

Ecaterina Casinge will replace Leyts. Casinge, who used to work for the European People's Party group in the European Parliament, is currently chief of cabinet for Moldovan President Maia Sandu. She will become Michel's spokesperson as of August.

^{© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}

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