Belgian Prime Minister's Cat 'Maximus Textoris Pulcher' Gains Social Media Fame
Maximus Textoris Pulcher, a cat officially residing at the Belgian prime minister’s office at Rue de la Loi 16 in Brussels, was adopted from a refuge and has quickly become a social media sensation. Since the launch of Maximus's Instagram account in August, it has amassed over 142,000 followers, making it the second-most-followed Belgian political account after Bart De Wever himself.
The cat’s full name is a mock-Latin title meaning “De Wever’s beautiful Maximus,” with 'textoris' translating to 'of the weaver.' Maximus’s posts often feature scenes from office life alongside thought bubbles that reference political events, including a three-day national action on spending cuts and ongoing budget discussions.
According to a confidant of De Wever, the account provides a low-effort behind-the-scenes glimpse and adds a warmer, more relatable dimension to the atmosphere at Rue de la Loi 16. Political scientist Professor Dave Sinardet noted that the account continues a tradition of using animals to humanize politicians and may subliminally portray De Wever as a hard-working leader.
The account seems successful in generating a positive vibe around De Wever, potentially softening public perceptions. However, critics' complaints seldom find sympathy through the platform. Maximus is often contrasted with Larry, the Downing Street cat, as whereas Larry's social media presence remains apolitical, Maximus’s posts include political observations, bringing a unique political dimension to the popular feline’s outreach.
