7 publishers · first seen Mon, 02 Nov 2026 08:58 UTC · updated Mon, 02 Nov 2026 13:50 UTC
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever submitted his resignation on Monday due to a long-standing budget crisis, but King Philippe has not yet decided whether to accept it. De Wever, a conservative Flemish nationalist, aimed to address Belgium's budget issues but failed to gain support from his five-party government. The Royal Palace confirmed De Wever's resignation 'following the failure of budget negotiations within his government.' King Philippe, who oversees the formation of national governments, is withholding his decision. He intends to consult with party group leaders before meeting De Wever again on Friday.
Belgium, one of the most heavily indebted countries in the European Union, faces mounting debt due to the COVID pandemic and an energy crisis. The European Commission forecasts Belgium's debt to rise to 110% of its gross domestic product this year. The interest on this debt poses a challenge as the government seeks to increase defense spending. The budget crisis occurs amid growing student protests and frequent strikes in the country.
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