De Wever Offers Government’s Resignation After Belgium’s €10 Billion Budget Talks Stall

Key Facts

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever submitted his government’s resignation to King Philippe on November 2 after negotiations over the federal government’s 2027 budget stalled, according to The Brussels Times. The move came after the coalition failed to reach an agreement on the next budget. Reuters reported, in an article published by Euronext, that the dispute had lasted for months over spending cuts and tax increases worth 10 billion euros. The resignation puts the future of the fiscal negotiations at the center of upcoming political consultations. It also raises the question of whether the government can reach an agreement before the end of the year.

The king kept the resignation decision under consideration and said he would hold talks with the parties concerned in the federal coalition in the following days, according to The Brussels Times. The royal palace said Philippe plans to consult party leaders starting Tuesday. De Wever is scheduled to return to the palace on Friday, according to the Associated Press. The resignation’s fate was therefore not decided immediately upon its submission, as the king begins consultations with coalition members to assess the next steps. This process is taking place alongside the government’s effort to secure a budget agreement before December 31.

The impasse is linked to disagreements within a five-party government over proposals to address budget problems. The Associated Press said De Wever did not secure support from the rest of the government for his proposals. This reflects that agreement on spending and tax measures involved not only negotiations between the government and outside parties, but also faced opposition within the coalition itself. The negotiations focus on the 2027 budget, while the fiscal measures under discussion total 10 billion euros, according to Reuters. Reaching a settlement before the end of the year remains the government’s stated goal.

In an earlier assessment of public finances, the International Monetary Fund warned that implementation difficulties could hinder reforms and fiscal consolidation. The fund said risk premiums could rise more than expected, potentially worsening debt dynamics. It also recommended additional fiscal adjustment to stabilize public debt and put it on a clear downward path. The assessment adds weight to the ongoing talks on budget measures, given the warning about the risks of implementation setbacks. The next step remains contingent on the king’s consultations with coalition party leaders, followed by his scheduled meeting with De Wever on Friday.