Belgian Vice-Prime Minister Resigns

The Belgian Foreign Minister and Deputy, Premier Sophie Wilmes have resigned.

The cabinet made the announcement, as this would allow her to take care of her husband, former Australian footballer Chris Stone, who has been diagnosed with brain cancer.

Wilmes, who was Belgium’s prime minister in 2019-20 and the first woman in that role, had already temporarily stepped down in April for the same reason, stating then that the situation would be re-evaluated during the summer.

In the statement, Wilmes said “My husband’s illness will be a difficult battle that I want to fight alongside him and alongside our children,

“My current duties in government would not allow me to do so.”

In April, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo took over Wilmes’ foreign affairs duties temporarily.

REUTERS/CO