Belgian Foreign Minister Sophie Wilmès has announced that she would step down temporarily to care for her husband, who has been diagnosed with brain cancer.
Sophie Wilmès, who also serves as deputy prime minister, will take a leave of absence until “the end of the summer,” when her family will reevaluate the situation.
Sophie Wilmes claims she took the decision “in complete collaboration with the Prime Minister.” Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said in a statement that Ms Wilmès’ pick “commands the highest respect.”
Mr De Croo went on to say that the minister would not formally resign from government, but that her duties would be temporarily handed to other ministries by “royal order.”
Mr De Croo went on to say that the minister would not formally resign from government, but that her duties would be temporarily handed to other ministries by “royal order.”
Ms Wilmès married her Australian husband Chris Stone in 2009, and she served as Prime Minister from 2019 to 2020. He has been the vice-president of the Belgian chapter of Australian Business in Europe since 2012. He was a former Australian Rules footballer with St Kilda. The couple has three daughters. Mr Stone has a son from a prior relationship as well.
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