The new minister, sworn in --when Grand Duke Henri was also positive--took over the tasks of previous minister Romain Schneider (LSAP) on 5 January. Schneider had decided to retire from the position at the end of last year.

As the number of cases reach new highs due to the highly virulent omicron variant, politicians are also not spared. who tested positive a week after the grand duke. At the end of last year, interior minister Taina Bofferding (LSAP) went into isolation following a positive rapid antigen test too. Justice minister Sam Tanson, energy minister Claude Turmes and housing minister Henri Kox (all Déi Gréng) had also contracted the virus in 2021. Prime minister Xavier Bettel (DP) spent several days in hospital following infection last year.

Haagen was tested positive during a routine swab, and went into isolation immediately after receiving the results, the press release said. Fully vaccinated, the minister only presents light symptoms and will continue to assume his tasks remotely.

The minister last week attended his first European Council meeting in Brussels.