Sophie Wilmes was named the interim Prime Minister of Belgium by King Philippe on 27th October, making her the first woman to hold the post in the tiny nation in western Europe. She is a member of the Francophone liberal party Mouvement Réformateur.
She will replace Charles Michel, who is due to take his responsibility as the President of the European Council in December.
Wilmes was serving as the Budget Minister and will be succeeded by David Clarinval.
Belgium has not had a full federal government since December 2018, when a coalition led by Charles Michel collapsed. Further, since the elections in May 2019, a new coalition government has not emerged.
Who is Sophie Wilmes?
Born in Ixelles on 15th January 1975, Wilmes was elected to the Chamber of Representatives in 2014. The 44-year-old Wilmes joined the federal government on 21st September 2015, where she was holding the post of the Minister of Budget and Public Service.
