BRUSSELS - Belgium’s King Philippe refused Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s resignation on November 6, 2026, ordering him to restart stalled 2027 budget negotiations immediately. De Wever had offered to step down earlier in the week after his five-party coalition failed to agree on closing a €10 billion ($11.2 billion) budget gap by 2029.
What happened?
The Belgian Royal Palace announced on Friday that King Philippe rejected the resignation after meeting leaders of the five majority parties. De Wever, a Flemish conservative who took office in February 2025, is trying to settle the 2027 budget by a Dec. 31 deadline. Coalition partners remain divided: the Flemish Socialist party Vooruit wants higher earners to contribute more, while the French-speaking Reformist Movement opposes tax hikes and raising value-added tax.
Why does it matter?
Belgium’s budget deficit stands at approximately 5.2 per cent of GDP, and the European Commission projects public debt could reach approximately 110.5 per cent by the end of 2026 and 112.8 per cent in 2027. Without a deal, Belgium must rely on an emergency system allowing monthly spending of one-twelfth of the prior year’s budget. The palace statement said: "The King also received a formal commitment from the five party leaders that their respective parties are prepared to make concessions in order to reach an agreement within the government."
What happens next?
De Wever must report back to King Philippe on Monday, November 16, on progress toward a sound three-year budgetary path. Meanwhile, labor unions and student groups continue rolling protests against belt-tightening as the government races toward the Dec. 31 deadline.
