Eischen was a television presenter before becoming a member of parliament, where he has held a seat since 2009. He is also the mayor of Kehlen, a commune with around 6,200 residents located northwest of Luxembourg City.

“The year 2020 with its health and economic crisis has brought big challenges for many people and also a great psychological and economic burden,” the CSV said in a statement. 

The 54-year-old said on Facebook he had been diagnosed with burnout but was convinced that he would be able to return to his job in due course with the help of his family.  

Guy Scholtes from the Kehlen municipal council will step in as mayor until Eischen’s return. The CSV is yet to communicate who will replace Eischen as secretary general and whether his seat in parliament will remain idle for the time being.

Luxembourg’s health ministry last year said mental health issues accounted for 16% of absences from work, the most common cause of sick leave after osteoarticular diseases, which include arthritis and osteoporosis. 

Eischen’s decision to take a break from politics to enter treatment for burnout comes just over a year after justice minister Félix Braz suffered a heart attack that has left him unable to perform political duties.

Green politician Camille Gira--at the time state secretary for the environment--collapsed in parliament and later died of heart failure in 2018. Luxembourg’s political landscape also recently lost Eugène Berger of the Democratic Party who died in January.