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Belgium: De Wever heads to king after budget talks fail

Overnight talks on Belgium’s federal budget ended without agreement on 2 November 2026. Bart De Wever went to the palace to offer his government’s resignation, Euronews reported, citing local media; acceptance of that resignation has not been established.

The audience with King Philippe had been announced for 9:30 a.m. Belgian time. The move followed another unsuccessful meeting of the Arizona coalition’s core cabinet.

21 News describes disagreements over the balance between new tax revenue and spending restraint. A prime minister’s approach to the monarch does not alone establish the government’s definitive collapse or new elections. The palace’s response remains the key unresolved point.

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