On Friday, 6 November 2026, Belgium’s King Philippe rejected the resignation of Prime Minister Bart De Wever and urged him to keep negotiating the federal budget, the Royal Palace said in a statement, as reported by Xinhua.
The statement, issued early on the day, said the decision came amid ongoing budget talks in Brussels. De Wever had submitted his resignation on Thursday, but the king determined that a continuation of the negotiation process was essential. Xinhua reported that the monarch’s rejection was a constitutional response to the crisis in government formation.
According to the Palace’s announcement, the prime minister was asked to remain in office until a new government could be formed; the statement did not set a specific timetable for the expiry of the current mandate. The royal stance was interpreted as a safeguard to keep the budget negotiations on track, as financial planning for the upcoming fiscal year remains a priority for the federal administration.
Belgium’s federal budget negotiations have stalled for weeks, with parties still debating spending and revenue measures. The king’s decision therefore carries significant political weight, suggesting that the monarch views uninterrupted budget negotiations as necessary to avoid a vacuum in governance and potential economic uncertainty.
With the resignation rejected, Prime Minister De Wever is expected to resume work on the federal budget, although no official timelines have been provided. The move comes at a time when the country’s political parties are still working to agree on a comprehensive financial plan for the upcoming year.
