Budget negotiations failed: how did it come to this? And what now?

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has offered his resignation after failing to reach a budget agreement with coalition partners. This situation has led to a political crisis, as negotiations broke down primarily over differing views on tax contributions. The king will meet with De Wever to discuss the next steps, which could either lead to the acceptance of his resignation or a request for more time to negotiate. Last year, a similar situation occurred, resulting in a deadline extension. The urgency remains high as the government seeks to avoid further complications.