De Wever poised to offer his resignation as Belgian budget talks fail
The prime minister's coalition is in crisis over stalled attempts to reach a deal for next year's budget.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever is set to tender his resignation on Monday, as negotiations to resolve a €10 billion budget shortfall reach a dead end. De Wever's coalition government, comprised of five parties, failed to reach an agreement during weekend talks, resulting in an early Monday setback. The budget must still be approved by parliament before the year's end.
De Wever sought to reassure financial markets that Belgium would meet its EU obligations, with a projected deficit of 5.2% of GDP in 2025, which is anticipated to increase next year. The Flemish socialists within the coalition demanded higher taxes from the wealthiest, while the Francophone center-right Reformist Movement rejected the proposal and opposed a VAT reform.
As tensions escalated, David Clarinval, deputy prime minister of the Reformist Movement, lamented, "There are still too many taxes on the table." The Reformist Movement has not ruled out the possibility of further discussions. De Wever's resignation comes amid speculation of potential snap elections, which could see the far-right Vlaams Belang and the far-left Workers' Party gain significant support in Belgian polls.
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