Belgian budget talks fail as De Wever prepares to offer resignation

Politics · First reported 2 Nov, 07:40 · Updated 08:01

Image: Wikimedia Commons · Francis Matahum · CC BY-SA 4.0

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever is due to offer his resignation to King Philippe after talks on closing a €10 billion budget gap ended without agreement. The reports describe different possible next steps if the resignation is offered or accepted.

Negotiations over a €10 billion budget gap ended without agreement, and De Wever was due to meet King Philippe to offer his resignation.
The budget dispute included disagreements over taxes, while the government was seeking savings to meet European spending requirements.
One report says the King could accept, refuse or defer consideration of the resignation; it says new elections would follow if he accepts.

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Key facts

Budget gap: €10 billion (31cfaac6-526c-47e2-ad47-d15ba15fa2cb; 4b6309e9-54c2-4ccf-a2ca-cf6b7d764366)
Belgian prime minister: Bart De Wever (31cfaac6-526c-47e2-ad47-d15ba15fa2cb; 4b6309e9-54c2-4ccf-a2ca-cf6b7d764366)
King: Philippe (31cfaac6-526c-47e2-ad47-d15ba15fa2cb; 4b6309e9-54c2-4ccf-a2ca-cf6b7d764366)
Debt figure reported: Over €735 billion, or more than 110% of GDP (4b6309e9-54c2-4ccf-a2ca-cf6b7d764366)