Budget talks fail, Belgian prime minister resigns

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever submitted his resignation to King Philippe on Monday after the coalition failed to reach agreement on next year's federal budget. The final round of coalition talks had collapsed just hours before the resignation.

A royal statement said the King has put off an immediate decision on the resignation and is holding it for now. The King will begin discussions with leaders of the ruling coalition parties from Tuesday and will decide only after meeting the prime minister again on Friday.

The palace has warned that Belgium cannot afford a prolonged political crisis. The government aims to save 10 billion euros by 2029.