AI Image
Belgian king refuses PM Bart De Wever's resignation and asks him to restart budget talks
Euronews.com • • world
Key Points:
- King Philippe of Belgium rejected Prime Minister Bart De Wever's resignation and urged him to immediately resume budget negotiations amid an ongoing budget crisis.
- De Wever, a Flemish conservative, resigned earlier this week due to coalition disagreements over the 2027 spending plan, but the king has postponed accepting the resignation.
- The king held talks with leaders of the five majority parties, all of whom committed to concluding budget negotiations promptly and agreed to make concessions to reach an agreement.
- The main budget challenge involves closing a €10 billion deficit gap by 2029, with coalition partners divided over proposed measures such as spending cuts and a VAT increase opposed by the francophone liberal Reformist Movement.
- De Wever is expected to report back to the king on Monday, November 16, following resumed negotiations.
