Minister Depraetere starts maternity leave early on medical advice
Flemish deputy prime minister Melissa Depraetere (Vooruit) has gone on maternity leave with immediate effect. Her cabinet confirmed the decision to Belga on Wednesday.
"Due to the heavy workload of the ministry, the risk of premature birth is too great," the cabinet said in a brief statement. "That is why, on the advice of her doctor, she is stepping down from her duties today and going on maternity leave."
Interim minister
In November 2025, Depraetere announced that she and her husband were expecting their first child, due in April. At the time, Depraetere, who serves as deputy prime minister and minister for Housing, Energy, Climate, Tourism and Youth, said she would be temporarily replaced by an interim minister.
As she is now taking maternity leave earlier than planned on medical advice, that replacement will need to be put in place sooner. Vooruit chairman Conner Rousseau is expected to communicate further on the matter on Monday, following a meeting of the party bureau.
Flemish minister-president Matthias Diependaele wished his colleague "all the rest and warmth she needs" in a message on X. "Health and new life always come first," he wrote.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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