Belgian PM's budget 'Plan B' rejected; kern reaffirms €10B target

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever's proposed 'safety net' budget plan was dismissed by the kern (restricted council of ministers) on Saturday, reaffirming the priority of a €10 billion budgetary effort by 2029. The rejection follows MR's refusal to raise VAT, leaving negotiations stalled. The government faces a December 31 deadline to pass the federal budget.