Belgian PM offers to quit over budget impasse

King Philippe of Belgium received Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever's resignation on Monday due to ongoing budget negotiations. However, the monarch has postponed his decision until after a new meeting on Friday. De Wever, from the Flemish conservative party, was negotiating a federal budget for the next year that would require €10 billion (US$11.6 billion) in savings by 2029 to address the country's high deficit. The talks had reached a stalemate hours before De Wever tendered his resignation.

The king emphasized Belgium's inability to tolerate a prolonged political crisis in a royal statement. He regretted the lack of agreement to provide the nation with a credible budget that meets current challenges. The king called for responsible behavior and urged all parties to prioritize the general interest and the spirit of compromise.

De Wever has been leading a five-party centre-right coalition since February 2025. A similar budget impasse occurred a year ago, when De Wever nearly resigned to the king. The government's proposal includes substantial cuts in public spending, such as healthcare, as well as a value-added tax (VAT) increase, which has faced strong opposition from one coalition partner, the French-speaking liberal MR party.

The MR party firmly opposes further tax hikes, arguing that they would exacerbate inflation. The budget negotiations are taking place under pressure from trade unions, who have been organizing protests against austerity measures for months, with thousands of demonstrators taking to the streets.