Bart De Wever has offered his government’s resignation to King Philippe after he failed to reach an agreement on the 2027 federal budget. The Belgian national debt amounts to over €735 billion, more than 110% of Belgium’s GDP, while 60% is permitted by the EU.
The talks have stalled after Vooruit (Flemish socialists), CD&V (Flemish Christian Democrats) and Les Engagés (Francophone centrists) reportedly asked for increased taxes on the “strongest financial shoulders,” something MR (Francophone liberals) and N-VA (Flemish nationalists) strongly oppose.
If the king accepts De Wever’s resignation, new elections might be scheduled. However, forming a new government based on the balance of power from the previous elections could also still be an option.
