Romina Pourmokhtari, Sweden’s 30-year-old Climate Minister, made history by bringing her infant son to the EU Council session on Thursday—the first time a baby has attended, according to officials.
Pourmokhtari, brought her baby to the European Council meeting in Luxembourg as an assertion of the benefits of the parental leave policy implemented in her country.
She carried him during discussions on climate policies, with her husband on hand from his parental leave to assist.
Pourmokhtari highlighted Sweden’s 480-day parental leave system, including non-transferable months for each parent, as key to balancing family and career without sacrifice.
Colleagues praised the moment as a natural part of life, spotlighting flexible policies amid EU work-life balance talks.