Key facts
- De Wever's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and he did not speak to the press at the palace.
- Newspaper De Tijd cited sources saying the king was not expected to immediately accept the resignation.
- De Wever has warned of an interest snowball, in which Belgium would borrow to pay interest on existing debt.
- De Wever's N-VA and the liberal MR pushed for healthcare spending cuts; partners demanded higher wealth taxes.
- Interest rates have risen sharply on government bonds of Belgium, France and other European countries seen to have weak finances.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever was set to hand in his resignation on Monday, November 2, 2026, after late-night coalition talks failed to reach a compromise on budget cuts, Belgian media reported. He arrived at the Royal Palace in Brussels that morning for a meeting with King Philippe.
He was widely expected to offer his resignation after his five-party coalition again failed to agree next year's budget. De Wever's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and the prime minister did not speak to the press as he arrived at the palace.
The government has argued for months over €10 billion ($11.2 billion) in budget cuts and tax increases De Wever says are needed to keep state finances in check. The crisis coincides with heightened stress on financial markets, where interest rates have risen sharply on government bonds of Belgium, France and other European countries seen to have weak government finances.
Belgium's king was not expected to immediately accept the resignation, newspaper De Tijd cited sources as saying, but could instead send De Wever back for a last push at the negotiating table. If the resignation is accepted, the king could ask other parties to form a new coalition, or it could lead to new elections.
De Wever has repeatedly warned of an "interest snowball" without budget cuts, where Belgium would need to take on new loans to be able to pay interest on existing debt. In months of talks, his Flemish nationalist N-VA and the liberal MR have not been able to compromise with their socialist and centrist coalition partners. The N-VA and MR have pushed for cuts in spending including on healthcare, while their partners demand higher wealth taxes to bring in more resources.