Belgian Deputy Prime Minister, Kris Peeters, handed in his resignation on Tuesday in order to assume his position in the European Parliament, to which he was elected in May.
Peeters, who also held the position of Minister of Economy and Employment, submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Charles Michel on Tuesday at around noon.
"I have handed over my resignation to the King and to the Prime Minister," Peeters said in a Tweet. "I want to continue working for our citizens at businesses at the European level", he added.
The minister's resignation precedes the formation of a new federal government in Belgium and falls in line with European Union electoral rules, according to which members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are not allowed to hold any other positions during their mandates.
Prime Minister Charles Michel reacted to Peeters' resignation on Twitter, lauding the work he had carried out during his mandate and calling him an "outstanding companion."
With the swearing-in of the European Parliament set to take place on July 2, Peeters said he was looking forward to working with fellow MEPs for "a Europe that really makes a difference," adding that he would focus on the internal market as well as on migration and asylum.
Gabriela Galindo
The Brussels Times
