Catherine Moureaux has returned to her position as mayor of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Brussels, following a year-long medical leave due to burnout, according to reports from The Brussels Times and De Standaard. Moureaux resumed her duties on Tuesday, marking her return to the helm of the municipality after an extended absence that began in March 2025.
The mayor’s leave prompted a period of interim leadership in Molenbeek. Her return comes after she previously extended her medical leave into 2026, signaling the complexity of her recovery. Moureaux publicly acknowledged the pressures of constant availability as a contributing factor to her burnout, stating, “Being available 24/7, that’s what breaks you,” as reported by De Standaard.
The political group Groen/Ecolo acknowledged Moureaux’s return, noting a “lot of work on the table,” according to HLN. This suggests an immediate resumption of significant municipal responsibilities upon her reinstatement.
In a separate, but contemporaneous development, the Molenbeek municipal authority recently forbade public assembly following an incident involving firefighters, as reported by The Brussels Times. The prohibition of assembly was implemented in the wake of the incident, though details regarding the nature of the firefighter incident remain limited.
Moureaux’s return to office follows a period of reflection on the demands of the mayoral role and the importance of prioritizing well-being. The circumstances surrounding her leave and return have not prompted any immediate changes to municipal policy, and the long-term implications of her experience on the governance of Molenbeek remain to be seen.
