Belgian PM resigns as budget talks collapse, King withholds decision

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever submitted his resignation to King Philippe on Monday after prolonged negotiations over the country's budget collapsed, plunging his five-party coalition government into political uncertainty. The monarch, however, withheld his decision on whether to accept the resignation and announced consultations with political leaders.

De Wever, a conservative Flemish nationalist who assumed office in February 2025, had sought agreement among his coalition partners on measures to address Belgium's mounting public debt. His proposals failed to secure sufficient support within the government, bringing months of disagreements over fiscal policy to a head.

Belgium's Royal Palace confirmed that the Prime Minister had offered his resignation following the failure of budget negotiations. In a statement issued after an hour-long meeting between De Wever and King Philippe, the palace said the monarch regretted the coalition's inability to reach an agreement on a credible budget.

"The King regrets the lack of an agreement that would provide the country with a credible budget capable of addressing the challenges it currently faces," the statement said.

𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀

King Philippe is expected to begin consultations with parliamentary party group leaders on Tuesday before meeting De Wever again at the Royal Palace on Friday. The consultations will help determine the next steps in resolving the political impasse.

The King's decision to withhold acceptance of the resignation leaves the government's immediate future unresolved. De Wever's coalition has struggled to bridge differences over spending priorities and the measures required to bring public finances under control.

The political deadlock comes as Belgium faces a December 31 deadline to finalise its budget for 2027. Failure to reach an agreement would add to the uncertainty surrounding the country's fiscal plans.

𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲

Belgium is among the most heavily indebted members of the 27-nation European Union, alongside France and Italy. Its public debt has increased over several years, with the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent energy crisis placing additional pressure on government finances.

The European Commission has forecast that Belgium's public debt will reach 110 per cent of gross domestic product this year. Rising interest payments on that debt have further complicated the government's efforts to balance spending commitments with fiscal consolidation.

The challenge has become more pronounced as Belgium seeks to increase defence expenditure while managing other public spending requirements.

De Wever took office promising to confront these structural budget problems, but the coalition's inability to agree on the necessary measures has exposed divisions among its five constituent parties.

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗱𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝗻𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁

The government crisis comes amid growing public discontent, with student demonstrations and repeated strikes placing additional pressure on the administration. Trade unions have organised several nationwide days of industrial action, disrupting activities across the country.

The protests have unfolded against the backdrop of disagreements over government economic policies and spending priorities.

The immediate focus now shifts to King Philippe's consultations with political leaders and his scheduled meeting with De Wever on Friday. Until the monarch announces a decision, the Prime Minister's resignation remains pending.

The budget dispute centres on how to close a roughly €10-billion fiscal gap. De Wever's Flemish nationalist N-VA and the liberal MR have pushed for spending reductions, including in healthcare, while socialist and centrist coalition partners have sought higher taxes on wealthier households. The unresolved differences have left the government without a compromise on the balance between expenditure cuts and additional revenue.

Belgium could face provisional spending arrangements if the coalition fails to agree on a budget. For now, the King's decision to defer acceptance of De Wever's resignation leaves room for further negotiations, although the five governing parties remain divided over the measures needed to stabilise public finances.