Belgian PM Bart De Wever offers resignation after overnight budget talks fail

Summary

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever offered his resignation to King Philippe on Monday after overnight budget talks between coalition parties collapsed, deepening a crisis over next year's budget. South China Morning Post reported that De Wever tendered his resignation in a 90-minute meeting with the king on Monday morning, and ABC News reported that the king was still weighing whether to accept it. The Royal Palace said the king would consider the offer and consult the leaders of the other coalition parties from Tuesday. Euronews reported that Belgium's national debt exceeds €735 billion, more than 110% of GDP, against an EU limit of 60%.

Timeline

1. Euronews

   2 Nov 2026, 07:40 UTCSource ↗

   Euronews reports that Belgium's PM Bart De Wever was going to the royal palace to offer his resignation to the king after overnight budget talks failed, and that Belgium's national debt is over €735 billion, more than 110% of GDP, while the EU permits 60%.

2. POLITICO

   2 Nov 2026, 08:58 UTCSource ↗

   POLITICO reports that the king is considering De Wever's resignation as Belgian budget talks fail, and that the prime minister's coalition is in crisis over stalled attempts to reach a deal on next year's budget.

3. ABC News

   2 Nov 2026, 13:41 UTCSource ↗

   ABC News reports that Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has handed in his resignation as the budget crisis intensifies, and that the king is considering whether to accept it.

4. South China Morning Post

   2 Nov 2026, 15:09 UTCSource ↗

   South China Morning Post reports that King Philippe sought to defuse the political crisis after overnight budget talks collapsed, that De Wever tendered his resignation in a 90-minute meeting with the king on Monday morning, and that the palace will consult the other coalition leaders from Tuesday.