During a busy week of federal budget talks, Belgium’s King Philippe on Friday, November 6, formally rejected the resignation of Prime Minister Bart De Wever, demanding that the government pursue a compromise over the 2027 budget, according to a statement issued by the Royal Palace.
The announcement, labeled "Urgent:" by Xinhua, came amid ongoing budget negotiations in Brussels. Xinhua reported that the king’s decision was a direct response to De Wever’s pleas for a temporary withdrawal from negotiations. “The King has instructed the prime minister to continue budget negotiations,” the palace’s statement read, underscoring the monarch’s intent to sustain executive momentum.
TASS, which cited a similar royal statement, echoed the same sentiment, noting that the king “has refused to accept the resignation” of De Wever’s government. In its report, TASS reiterates the king’s instruction: “The King has instructed the prime minister to continue budget negotiations.” Both outlets highlight the same basic series of events: a rejected resignation and a directive to proceed with talks.
Both Xinhua and TASS emphasized that the king’s instruction was aimed at preserving continuity in Belgium’s federal talks. The Royal Palace’s public statement—also documented by both reports—referred to the persistence of negotiations without providing details about the broader political context, thereby keeping the focus on the king’s directive and the ongoing budget process.
The royal government’s stance indicates that, at least by the wording in the statements, the monarch has prioritized the orderly conduct of budget negotiations over any immediate changes in leadership. While Xinhua’s language conveys a sense of urgency, TASS frames the king’s refusal in a procedural manner, attesting to a shared message regarding the continuation of executive activity.
According to the official notes, the 2027 budget negotiations are a prominent element of Belgium’s political agenda, and the decision by the king to demand continuity came as a counterpoint to the prime minister’s suggestion of resignation. Each outlet, Xinhua and TASS, underscores that the message from the Royal Palace was unequivocal: the prime minister’s resignation has been dismissed, and the negotiations should proceed unchanged.
In sum, both Xinhua and TASS present a parallel narrative: the king declined to accept De Wever’s resignation and called for the continuation of budget talks, reflecting a stance toward preserving governmental stability during a critical legislative debate. This articulation from the royal palace is the central fact in the unfolding story of Belgium’s executive‑budget negotiations.
