Swedish minister brings baby to EU meeting, a historic first

Swedish Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari made history by bringing her three-month-old son to an EU council meeting in Luxembourg on Thursday, June 25, marking the first time a child has attended a ministers' meeting in the EU Council's history.

The 30-year-old minister attended the EU Council's climate change policy meeting with her son Adam to highlight the importance of parental leave benefits. Her aim was to show that women should not be forced to choose between their careers and family responsibilities.

Pourmokhtari told Reuters she wanted to set an example that balancing work and family is possible, but it requires a partner with a modern mindset who is willing to share responsibilities.

An EU Council official confirmed that, to their knowledge, this is the first time a child has been present at an EU ministers' meeting.

Pourmokhtari became Sweden's youngest-ever minister when she took office in 2022. She has recently returned from maternity leave, while her husband will take paternity leave until the Swedish elections in September to help care for Adam.

Sweden has one of the world's most generous parental leave systems, with parents entitled to approximately 16 months of paid leave, with specific portions reserved for each parent.

Pourmokhtari said that beyond leave, flexible rules and affordable childcare are also important for families.

Polish Deputy Climate Minister Krzysztof Bolesta said the baby's presence caused no problems, adding that it was not a disruption but a natural part of life.