Melissa Depraetere

Melissa Depraetere (born 12 May 1992 in Kortrijk) is a Belgian politician and leader of Vooruit. She has been a Vice Minister-President of Flanders in the Diependaele Government since 2024, additionally serving as the Flemish Minister for Housing, Energy and Climate, Tourism, and Youth. She has been a member of the Chamber of Representatives for West Flanders since 2019. Before being elected, she was a parliamentary assistant to , and a OCMW councillor in Harelbeke.

Depraetere was also active in Chiro Flanders, a Belgian youth organisation. In November 2018, it was announced that Depraetere would be in second place on the sp.a list for the 2019 election, behind then-party leader John Crombez. She won 12,601 votes and gained a seat in the Chamber of Representatives. She is a member of the Committee for the Economy, Consumer Protection and the Digital Agenda, the COVID-19 Committee, and the Committee for Electoral Expenses.