From POLITICO · · 1m 10s
Belgian PM offers resignation as budget talks collapse
Prime Minister Bart De Wever offered to step down after his five-party coalition failed to agree on plugging a ten billion euro budget gap.
In brief
Prime Minister Bart De Wever offered to step down after his five-party coalition failed to agree on plugging a ten billion euro budget gap. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever offered his resignation after coalition talks failed to close a ten billion euro budget shortfall, with King Philippe now considering the…
De Wever offers to resign
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever offered his resignation Monday morning after his five-party coalition government failed to agree on closing a ten billion euro budget gap over the weekend.
King postpones decision
King Philippe said he was postponing his decision on De Wever's resignation and would begin consultations Tuesday with party leaders from the coalition partners, appealing to everyone's sense of responsibility.
Socialists and center-right clash
Budget talks broke down over tax policy. The Flemish socialists of Forward wanted more contributions from highest incomes through taxes. The Francophone center-right Reformist Movement ruled that out and opposed wider value-added tax reform.
“far too many taxes on the table”
De Wever meets king Friday
The prime minister is expected to meet King Philippe again on Friday. Belgium's deficit reached five point two percent of GDP in twenty twenty-five and is expected to rise further next year.
What to remember
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever offered his resignation after coalition talks failed to close a ten billion euro budget shortfall, with King Philippe now considering the offer.
