Swedish minister brings baby to EU meeting, a first for the bloc

Key facts

• Swedish Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari brought her three-month-old son to an EU council meeting in Luxembourg.
• The minister aimed to highlight the benefits of parental leave policies that do not force women to choose between work and family.
• This marks the first known instance of a baby attending a meeting of EU ministers.
• Sweden has one of the world's most generous parental leave policies, offering approximately 16 months of paid leave.
• Poland's deputy climate minister, Krzysztof Bolesta, commented positively on the situation, stating it was not a handicap.

Swedish Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari brought her three-month-old son, Adam, to an EU council meeting in Luxembourg, an unprecedented event for the bloc. Pourmokhtari stated her intention was to highlight the benefits of parental leave policies that allow parents to balance work and family responsibilities without making difficult choices.

An official from the EU Council confirmed that this was the first known instance of a baby attending such a ministerial meeting. Pourmokhtari, who became Sweden's youngest government minister in 2022, recently returned from parental leave. Her husband is currently on leave and traveled with her to care for their son.

Sweden offers one of the most comprehensive parental leave systems globally, providing around 16 months of paid leave, with specific non-transferable periods for each parent to encourage fathers' involvement. Pourmokhtari credited these policies and team support for making it easier for her husband to care for Adam while she works.

She emphasized that supportive policies extend beyond just leave periods, advocating for flexible leave arrangements and affordable childcare. Pourmokhtari argued that such support creates significant value, potentially preventing burnout and contributing to economic well-being in the long run.

Krzysztof Bolesta, Poland's deputy climate minister, was present and commented that having the baby in the meeting was not an issue, describing it as "great" and "just a part of life."