Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever offers his resignation over a budget deadlock; the king holds off and calls in the coalition leaders
Eunews explains the EU deficit rules behind the €10 billion fight; Anadolu has the palace statement and the king's options.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever offered his resignation to King Philippe on Monday, November 2, after his five-party coalition failed to agree on the 2027 budget and a roughly €10 billion savings plan through 2029. The palace said the king "is holding his decision in suspense" and would consult the majority parties' leaders from Tuesday; De Wever was due back at the palace on Friday, November 6, after the cutoff. The king warned that "the country cannot afford a prolonged political crisis."
The dispute reportedly pits the francophone center-right MR against the centre-left Vooruit and Les Engagés, according to the Belga news agency as cited by Eunews. Belgium ran a deficit of 5% of GDP last year against the EU's 3% ceiling and is under an EU excessive deficit procedure. Under Belgium's constitution the king can refuse the resignation, keep it pending to give the parties time, or accept it and leave a caretaker government with limited powers. In November 2025, De Wever instead asked for a 50-day extension. Unions have called a national strike for November 23.
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Politics of Belgium
After exploring Belgian prime minister offers resignation amid budget deadlock, for why a king gets a say here, see Politics of Belgium.
Belgium is a federal constitutional monarchy: the king is head of state, the prime minister heads the government, and parties compete in a multi-party system.
Wikipedia · Wade · 5 min
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2010–2011 Belgian government formation
After exploring Belgian government in turmoil over budget: King puts Prime Minister De Wever’s resignation on hold, for how long these standoffs can last, read about the 2010–2011 Belgian government formation.
After the June 2010 election produced 11 parties in the Chamber, none above 20% of seats, Belgium went through a famously long government formation.
Wikipedia · Swim · 30 min
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