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Updated October 27th, 2019 at 13:20 IST

Belgium gets first woman Prime Minister, Sophie Wilmes creates history

Charles Michel informed on Saturday that Sophie Wilmes was chosen as the Belgium's new caretaker prime minister. She'll also be the first female Prime Minister

Sophie Wilmes
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Belgian Budget Minister Sophie Wilmes has been chosen as the country's new caretaker prime minister -- a first for a woman, the current premier Charles Michel said on Saturday.

READ | Former Belgian king undergoes a paternity test

Sophie Wilmes will be sworn in by King Philippe

The 44-year-old still has to be sworn in by King Philippe, who is expected to announce the nomination formally on Sunday at the earliest. Michel, who is set to take over as European Council president on December 1, had said on Friday he intended to step down by the beginning of November "at the latest".

Belgium has not had a fully functioning federal government since a coalition headed up by Michel collapsed in December 2018. He has stayed on as caretaker premier ever since. The political situation was further complicated by a very fragmented result of parliamentary elections in May.

"Congratulations Sophie Wilmes, who is being put forward to the King as caretaker prime minister," Michel said on Twitter.

Wilmes, who is seen as an ally of Michel's and was first elected to parliament in 2014, was chosen by a ministerial committee. Belgium has a reputation for political crises. In 2010-2011 it was without a government for 541 days -- a record.

READ | PM Modi meets his Belgian counterpart on the sidelines of UNGA

READ | Belgian woman spends 6 days trapped in the overturned car sans food, says, 'wanted to live for my kids'

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Published October 27th, 2019 at 12:50 IST

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