Belgian budget talks stall as Vooruit, MR reject De Wever's plan

Belgian coalition talks on the 2026 budget failed again after four hours of negotiations, with Vooruit and MR rejecting Prime Minister De Wever's revised framework targeting €10 billion in savings by 2029. N-VA, Les Engagés, and CD&V were ready to proceed, but the two holdouts block final negotiations, deepening the political deadlock. The impasse raises uncertainty over fiscal consolidation and could pressure Belgian bond spreads if prolonged.