'Pasionaria' Marie-Rose Morel dies

For many years Marie-Rose Morel was one of the leading figures of the far right Vlaams Belang party, but she left the party last year.

Morel married former Vlaams Belang leader Frank Vanhecke at the beginning of the year. She is survived by her two sons aged 4 and 6.

Morel died in hospital in Wilrijk (Antwerp) at 8 PM on Tuesday following complications. She had come down with pneumonia that hampered her breathing.

The politician started her career with the Flemish nationalist party N-VA, but came to prominence when she joined the leadership of Vlaams Belang. She also served as a Flemish MP.

Morel's success is often attributed to her 'softer' image that provided an alternative to the boxing gloves used in some far right adverts, which put off a lot of people.

The far right politician made the headlines when she campaigned in favour of Vlaams Belang candidates who were expelled from the Christian democrat and socialist trade unions.

Morel also played an important role in the wrangling in the leadership of the far right party.

Together with the then Vlaams Belang leader, whom she later married, she opposed the more hard-line tendency headed by Filip Dewinter and Gerolf Annemans.

In 2009 Morel failed in her bid to get elected to the European Parliament. She also got more and more isolated within her party. A party leadership with Morel as deputy leader was voted down.

She also failed to land a place on the Vlaams Belang list of candidates for last year's federal elections that would guarantee her a seat in parliament.

Morel was also diagnosed with cancer. First she responded well to treatment, but later suffered a relapse.