Belgian Prime Minister Resigns Amid Stalled Budget Negotiations

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever submitted his resignation to King Philippe on Monday due to stalled budget discussions. However, the king has postponed making a decision until after a new meeting scheduled for Friday.

De Wever, who leads a coalition of five centre-right parties, has been negotiating a federal budget for the upcoming year. The government aims to save 10 billion euros by 2029 to address the country’s significant budget deficit.

The latest round of talks fell apart just hours before De Wever’s resignation. The royal palace stated that the king will consult with leaders of the governing coalition before making a decision. The palace emphasized that Belgium cannot endure a prolonged political crisis and expressed regret over the failure to reach a budget agreement.

The king called on all parties to prioritize the general interest and work towards a compromise. A similar budget deadlock occurred last year, nearly leading to De Wever’s resignation at that time.

The current budget plan includes cuts to public spending, including healthcare, and a proposed increase in value-added tax (VAT). This tax hike has faced strong opposition from the French-speaking liberal MR party, which argues that it would worsen inflation.

Trade unions have been actively protesting against austerity measures, with many people taking to the streets in recent months.