BRUSSELS — Employment Minister Freya van den Bossche has replaced Socialist SP.A colleague Johan Vande Lanotte as Belgian Deputy Prime Minister.

Van den Bossche, 30, was also appointed Federal Budget Minister and will retain the Consumer Affairs portfolio, Flemish broadcaster VRT reported.

She was previously press officer for Ghent Mayor Frank Beke and was appointed in 2000 as Ghent Education Alderwoman. Having won praise from wide quarters, Van den Bossche was also the first minister in office to have a baby earlier this year.

Information Technology State Secretary Peter Vanvelthoven will now be promoted to the employment ministry and newcomer Bruno Tuybens will be appointed Energy State Secretary.

The 43-year-old Tuybens currently works for the Flemish bank KBC and is also active with Amnesty International.

The Cabinet reshuffle comes after Vande Lanotte resigned from ministerial duties upon his election as the leader of the Flemish SP.A. He replaces Steve Stevaert, who was recently appointed governor of Limburg.

[Copyright Expatica News 2005]

Subject: Belgian news