In Belgium, Prime Minister Bart De Wever's cat has become a real star. Following in the paw prints of Larry, the famous feline resident of Number 10, Maximus was adopted this summer by the Flemish conservative.
According to the French newspaper Le Figaro, Maximus's Instagram account is already hot on the heels of his owner's in terms of followers.
An online sensation
While the account is run by the Prime Minister's personal assistant, Mr De Wever himself often enjoys posting updates about his pet.
A purr-fect political move
It provides a humorous way to touch on various political subjects. In an interview with Soir Mag, political scientist Dave Sinardet, a professor at the Free University of Brussels, explains that featuring the cat helps the politician to "soften his image and show that he isn't taking his new role too seriously."
