Belgian king rejects Prime Minister Bart De Wever's resignation

Belgian King Philippe has rejected Prime Minister Bart De Wever's resignation and asked him to immediately resume budget negotiations, the Royal Palace said in a statement on Friday.

The decision came after the king received De Wever at the Royal Palace and held consultations with the presidents of the five parties forming the governing majority.

De Wever offered his resignation to the king on Monday after coalition partners failed to agree on budgetary measures.

According to the statement, all five party leaders reaffirmed their determination to reach an agreement on a sound budgetary trajectory for the next three years and expressed their willingness to conclude negotiations "as soon as possible."

The party presidents also formally committed to making concessions to secure an agreement within the government.

The king stressed the need to strike a fair balance between preserving social cohesion and stimulating economic growth, while urging the party leaders to prioritize compromise and a sense of responsibility.

After the consultations, the king decided to reject De Wever's resignation and instructed the prime minister to resume budget negotiations immediately.

De Wever is scheduled to report back to the king on Nov. 16, the statement added.