Belgium: Prime Minister Bart De Wever resigns to the king amid budget impasse

Budget negotiations in Belgium are challenging, leading Prime Minister Bart De Wever to resign on November 2. The King has not made a decision yet and will consult party leaders again on Friday. The coalition failed to agree on a 10 billion euro budget effort needed by 2029 to reduce the deficit, which exceeds 5% of GDP. De Wever's resignation follows a similar situation last year, where the King intervened to prevent a resignation. The proposed budget cuts, particularly in health, face opposition from the liberal MR party, which resists tax increases amid rising inflation. Unions are also pressuring against austerity measures.