No budget talks planned this weekend
Prime minister Bart De Wever and his deputy prime ministers are not expected to meet this weekend for budget negotiations, government sources confirmed on Saturday.
During a final meeting on Friday evening, the prime minister concluded that there remains sufficient willingness among coalition partners to seek consensus on the multi-year budget. The government aims to cut at least 10 billion euros to bring Belgium’s public finances back on track by 2030, in line with European spending targets.
However, with little progress so far, some officials are preparing for the possibility that the government may have to start 2026 under a provisional “twelve-month” emergency budget. This temporary system allows the state to continue operating month by month, limiting spending to one-twelfth of the previous year’s budget each month. While this ensures the payment of essential expenses such as salaries, pensions and healthcare, it prevents any new investments or policy initiatives.
A strict deadline has been set, and if no agreement is reached by 6 November, the prime minister will tender his resignation to the king. Acceptance of that resignation would trigger the dissolution of the House and lead to early elections.
Negotiations are expected to resume next week, though the exact schedule has yet to be finalised.
Prime minister Bart De Wever © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS
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