King of Belgium refuses Prime Minister Bart De Wever's resignation
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Zambian Observer and Bénin Web TV
King Philippe of Belgium refused the resignation of Prime Minister Bart De Wever and tasked him with immediately resuming budget negotiations, according to the Zambian Observer. Mr De Wever had submitted his resignation on 2 November after talks failed on an effort of around 10 billion euros. The five coalition parties pledged to make concessions and the Prime Minister must report to the king on 16 November.
King Philippe of Belgium refused on Friday 6 November the resignation of Prime Minister Bart De Wever and tasked him with immediately resuming budget negotiations with his coalition, according to the Zambian Observer. Mr De Wever had submitted his resignation on Monday 2 November, after talks between government partners broke down.
Consulted separately by the sovereign at the Royal Palace of Brussels, the leaders of the five parties in power reaffirmed their willingness to reach an agreement on public finances for the next three years and formally pledged to make concessions. The disagreement concerns an effort of around 10 billion euros, intended to straighten out the public accounts, with the parties differing on the split between savings and additional tax revenue. In power since February 2025, Bart De Wever leads a coalition bringing together the N-VA, the Reformist Movement, Les Engagés, Vooruit and the CD&V.
According to European Commission forecasts cited by Reuters, Belgian public debt was expected to reach 110.5% of GDP in 2026, while the deficit was expected at 5.2% of GDP, amid rising borrowing costs. The Prime Minister must give a new update to the king on Monday 16 November, as the government seeks to conclude an agreement on the 2027 budget before 31 December.
