Geopolitical events
On November 2, 2026, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever offered his resignation to King Philippe following the collapse of overnight coalition negotiations over the national budget. The coalition parties reached an impasse over a €10 billion ($11.2 billion) fiscal consolidation package comprising public spending cuts and taxation reforms intended to bring Belgium's budget deficit into compliance with European Union fiscal rules and stabilize debt levels exceeding 110% of GDP. King Philippe placed the resignation in reserve and scheduled consultative meetings with leaders of the coalition parties beginning on November 3, 2026, warning that the country cannot afford protracted political instability amid European bond market volatility and macroeconomic pressures.