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A new spokesperson appointed to the President of the EU Council - UPDATED

14 July 2023 18:22 (UTC +04:00)

Barend Leyts, spokesman of the President of the European Council, will join the cabinet of the Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo where he will take on the role of Director of Communications, the press service of the EU Council confirms, APA reports.

Barend Leyts will be replaced by Ecaterina Casinge. Mrs Casinge has worked as a Senior Strategy and Communication advisor in the European parliament. She is currently Head of Cabinet of the President of Moldova Maia Sandu. She will start as President Michel’s spokeswoman in August.

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17:48

Barend Leyts, spokesperson for European Council President Charles Michel, is leaving his job, according to an EU official, APA reports citing Politico.

Leyts is leaving to become director of communication for Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo as soon as his replacement is found, said the same official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the topic.

A former journalist, Leyts, who is Dutch-speaking, became the spokesperson for Michel in October 2014 when Michel was still the Belgian prime minister. Leyts then followed Michel when he was chosen to run the European Council, which gathers all 27 EU leaders to set the bloc’s priorities, in December 2019.