Belgian king rejects De Wever’s resignation and restarts budget talks
King Philippe refused Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s resignation after securing commitments to compromise from all five coalition parties. Budget talks must restart immediately, with the prime minister due back at the palace on 16 November. The dispute over spending, pensions and taxes continues as Belgium works to meet European Union deficit requirements.
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The king sends De Wever back to negotiations
Belgium's King Philippe refused Prime Minister Bart De Wever's resignation on 6 November and asked him to restart federal budget negotiations immediately. The prime minister is to return to the palace on 16 November to report on progress towards an agreement.[1], [2]
De Wever offered to resign on 2 November after negotiations among five coalition partners collapsed. During the intervening week, the king held separate consultations with their leaders. The palace said each formally committed their party to making concessions to reach an agreement within the government.[1]
Social cohesion and growth frame the compromise request
The palace said all five parties wanted budget talks concluded as quickly as possible. Philippe asked for a balance between preserving social cohesion and encouraging economic growth. The coalition remains divided over spending cuts, pension reform and potential tax increases, with parties disagreeing over higher taxation of better-off groups.[1]
EU deficit requirements add a deadline
Belgium has been under the European Union's excessive deficit procedure since July 2024. It must bring its deficit below 3 per cent of gross domestic product by 2029. The king has intervened in earlier budget disputes: in November 2025, De Wever received another 50 days for negotiations. This time the prime minister had declared talks exhausted before submitting his resignation.[1]
