Belgian king refuses PM Bart De Wever's resignation and asks him to restart budget talks
De Wever, a Flemish conservative, handed in his resignation on Monday amid a continuing budget crisis that has seen coalition partners fail to agree on a 2027 spending plan.
Belgian King Philippe has refused Prime Minister Bart De Wever's resignation and instructed him to restart budget negotiations, according to a statement from the Royal Palace. De Wever, a Flemish conservative, tendered his resignation on Monday due to a budget crisis, with coalition partners unable to reach an agreement on a 2027 spending plan.
The king has put his decision on hold to engage in talks with party leaders starting Tuesday. Upon meeting with the five majority party leaders, the king expressed their unanimous commitment to swiftly concluding the budget discussions. Each leader affirmed their willingness to make concessions to secure a government budget for the next three years.
De Wever is seeking €10 billion by 2029 to address the deficit, but the coalition parties disagree on the best approach, including potential spending cuts and a controversial VAT increase opposed by the francophone liberal Reformist Movement.
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- Belgian king rejects PM’s resignation, gives time for budget talks freemalaysiatoday.com
