In brief
On Friday, Belgium’s King Philippe rejected Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s resignation and urged him to continue the federal budget talks. The royal palace said the decision comes amid ongoing budget negotiations in Brussels, and it follows De Wever’s brief resignation move. The king’s refusal means the government will stay in place for now, keeping the focus on finalising the federal budget.
In Brussels on November 6, 2026, King Philippe declined Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s resignation and asked him to resume negotiating Belgium’s federal budget. The decision was announced by the Royal Palace in a statement shared with Xinhua.
De Wever had submitted his resignation earlier this week, but the king did not accept it. Instead, he told the prime minister to stay on and finish the stalled budget talks. The federal government, which is working on a spending plan for the coming months, will remain intact for the time being.
The announcement comes as Belgium’s coalition parties continue to work on a budget that must address the country’s deficit and public spending requirements. The budget deadline is mid-December, so any delay could push the government into a fiscal crisis.
The royal palace said the king’s decision was “to ensure stability in government and the continuation of ongoing negotiations.” Officials have not indicated whether De Wever has changed his mind or will remain in office after the budget is approved.
