Foreign Minister and MR Deputy Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès announced on Thursday her decision to take “immediate” leave from her ministerial duties to “be present” alongside her husband, Christopher, who is battling cancer. of the brain. A few weeks ago, on our antenna, she spoke about it to Pascal Vrebos.
The current Minister of Foreign Affairs Sophie Wilmès (MR) announced this morning her temporary withdrawal from office. Indeed, the minister (47 years old), and former Prime Minister, wishes to devote more time to her family. Her husband (63) is currently suffering from cancer. “Today, the disease has suddenly entered our lives and, in particular, that of my husband, Christopher, who must begin (like far too many men, women and even children) his fight against a aggressive brain cancershe wrote in a press release.
This official communication begins as follows:Life sometimes and unfortunately takes painful turns“The Minister then confides a little more extensively on her husband’s fight against cancer, the main reason for his temporary withdrawal.”This difficult ordeal is not without consequences for my family and therefore for my role within the Belgian government. Being a minister requires rigor, availability and a total commitment that would not allow me to provide the help and comfort that Christopher and our children will need during this difficult period. I want to be present with him as he has always been for us and lead this fight with him and our children.”
This withdrawal is for the moment temporary, described as “leave” by the minister. “In full consultation with the Prime Minister and my party, I have taken the decision to immediately put myself on leave from my current ministerial duties, without compensation. This gives us the ability to fully consider our situation by the end of the summer.” According to our information, Sophie Wilmès had initially submitted her resignation. Alexander De Croo and Georges-Louis Bouchez dissuaded her, to prefer the formula “temporary step aside”.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo will now have to propose to the King a provisional reorganization of the powers managed by Sophie Wilmès, according to the press release. “I thank in advance the Premier and my colleagues, David Clarinval and Mathieu Michel, who will take over these matters in my absence.“, specifies the minister. “Take care of yourself“, she concludes.
© Facebook Sophie Wilmès – Sophie Wilmès and her husband kayaking during confinement
She tenderly evoked her husband a few weeks ago
On March 27, Sophie Wilmès was also the guest of Pascal Vrebos on RTL-TVi. The Minister of Foreign Affairs had on this occasion spoken of her husband. She had been asked what she would say to the child Sophie Wilmès.
“I would say to him ‘one day you will meet an Australian and keep your attention on him because he is a nice guy'” (see the topic of 1 p.m., at the top of the article). The Australian is therefore Christopher, the husband of Sophie Wilmès. Watch the entire “guest” footage below: