Belgian Prime Minister De Wever Offers Resignation as Budget Talks Fail

Belgium's crisis grew out of weeks of unsuccessful negotiations over next year's budget. Coalition partners could not reach agreement, according to Telegraaf and Cumhuriyet.com.tr: Son Dakika.

The financial backdrop is substantial. Euronews reported that Belgian national debt exceeds €735 billion, more than 110% of gross domestic product, against the EU's permitted level of 60%.

Overnight budget talks failed ahead of Monday, November 2, prompting Prime Minister Bart De Wever to prepare to offer his resignation to the king, Euronews reported.

On Monday morning, Euronews.com reported that De Wever was at the royal palace to offer his resignation. That marked a move from stalled coalition negotiations to a formal government crisis.

RTBF subsequently confirmed that De Wever had presented his government's resignation to King Philippe. The king reserved his decision and summoned party leaders.

The resignation was not immediately accepted. According to nu.nl, the king called on all parties involved to reach an agreement that would resolve the budget crisis.

De Wever has offered his government's resignation, but the king has left it pending. Infobae reported that the king would begin consultations with the other coalition partners.

That distinction matters: the resignation has been submitted, not accepted. The immediate focus remains on whether the parties can still find a budget agreement, as the king has requested, according to nu.nl.

The next concrete step is the king's consultations with coalition parties, reported by Infobae. Those discussions will take place with both the budget dispute and the decision on the government's resignation still unresolved.

Watch for an announcement on whether the king accepts the resignation or whether the parties reach an agreement. RTBF reported that he had reserved his decision while summoning party leaders.