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Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever meets with King Philippe after the failure of budget negotiations: He is expected to submit his resignation

Ana Maria Eftene

2 November 2026, 10:36

International

Bernd Elmenthaler/Geisler-Fotopress, Geisler-Fotopress GmbH / Alamy / Profimedia

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Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever is due to meet King Philippe on Monday morning after negotiations on the 2027 federal budget and savings measures failed overnight. According to the Belga news agency, cited by dpa, the prime minister may submit his resignation.

A small group of ministers failed to reach an agreement on a €10 billion savings package needed by 2029 to reduce the deficit and public debt. The king can accept or reject the resignation or ask De Wever to remain in office until the situation is clarified.

The talks highlighted divisions between the right-wing and centre-left parties in the five-party governing coalition. The right considers the proposals to include too many taxes, while the left is calling for a larger contribution from high-income earners.

Belgium, one of the European Union’s most indebted countries, must cut spending to comply with EU rules on deficits and debt. At the same time, the government is under pressure to increase defence spending in line with NATO commitments. The austerity measures have sparked trade union protests in Brussels, attended by tens of thousands of people.

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Context: Belgium’s budget negotiations were preceded by trade union protests in Brussels and tensions related to possible tax increases

Before the failure of negotiations within the governing coalition, Belgian trade unions organized protests in Brussels against the budgetary measures, with incidents in the area of Central Station, where police used tear gas to disperse a group. The demonstrations severely disrupted public transport and led to the cancellation of 140 flights at the capital’s airport.

The trade unions criticized the cost of living and the pressure on employees, supporting an alternative plan that could raise up to 21 billion euros without drastic spending cuts; meanwhile, the government considered spending cuts in several areas and a possible VAT increase, a measure opposed by the Reformist Movement.