Belgium Prime Minister Charles Michel resigns over migration spat

Updated

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has resigned amid pressure on his Government after the biggest party in his coalition quit over his support for the UN global compact on migration.

Key points: Mr Michel quit due to ongoing upheaval within his minority Government over the signing of UN's migration treaty

The PM went to see the Belgian King, who is "withholding his decision" on what steps to take next

The right-wing N-VA party quit the Government coalition just over a week ago

Mr Michel told Belgian MPs: "I am taking the decision to offer my resignation. I am now going to see the King [to inform him]."

The politicians had been demanding that he submit his new minority Government to a confidence vote, but Mr Michel had so far refused and a confrontation seemed likely this week.

Mr Michel tried to convince them of the reshaped Government's plans and said he would be ready to work with the Opposition, but his overtures were rejected. His 2019 budget was among the sensitive topics up for debate.

Some in the assembly pushed for an election to be held before the regularly scheduled one in May. Mr Michel again refused, saying it would only lead to "stagnation for the whole of 2019".

As politicians applauded, he picked up his briefcase, shook the hands of a number of Government ministers, and left.

Mr Michel made no comment to reporters upon entering and leaving Belgian King Philippe's residence, the Palace of Laeken in Brussels.

The King holds a largely symbolic role in Belgium but becomes a pivotal figure after inconclusive elections or disputes like the current one that require the formation of new governments.

In a tweet, the Royal Palace said King Philippe had received Mr Michel and was "withholding his decision" about what steps to take next.

It was not immediately clear whether the King had accepted the resignation the Prime Minister tendered on behalf of himself and his Government.

Mr Michel could be invited to lead a caretaker government until consultations with other party leaders can be held.

The right-wing N-VA party quit the Government after Mr Michel sought parliamentary approval to support the UN compact against its wishes, branding his minority Government "the Marrakech coalition", after the city where the migration treaty was signed just over a week ago.

The accord is non-binding, but the N-VA said it still went too far and would give even migrants who were in Belgium without authorisation many additional rights.

The party launched an in-your-face social media campaign against the compact, featuring pictures of Muslim women with their faces covered and claiming that the accord focused on allowing migrants to retain the cultural practices of their homelands.

But it quickly withdrew the materials after the campaign received widespread criticism.

A number of governments refused to sign the UN Global Compact Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.

They included the United States, but also a group of European Union countries, among them Austria, which holds the EU's rotating presidency until December 31.

AP

Topics: world-politics, government-and-politics, immigration, community-and-society, belgium

First posted</s>BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has resigned amid pressure on his government after the biggest party in his coalition quit over his support for the U.N. global compact on migration.

Michel told Belgian lawmakers Tuesday that “I am taking the decision to offer my resignation. I am now going to see the king” to inform him.

The lawmakers had been demanding that he submit his new minority government to a confidence vote, but Michel had so far refused and a confrontation seemed likely this week.</s>Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel submitted his resignation Tuesday amid pressure on his government after the biggest coalition party quit over Michel's support for a United Nations compact on international migration.

"I am taking the decision to offer my resignation. I am now going to see the king" to inform him," Michel told Belgian lawmakers.

Before the prime minister gave his notice, lawmakers had been demanding he submit his new minority government to a confidence vote. But Michel refused, and a confrontation this week seemed likely.

Michel tried to convince the Chamber of Representatives of the reshaped government's plans and said he would be ready to work with the opposition, but his overtures were rejected. His 2019 budget was among the sensitive topics up for debate.

Some in the assembly pushed for an election to be held before the regularly scheduled one in May. Michel again refused, saying it would only lead to "stagnation for the whole of 2019." After a short break for reflection, he announced he was resigning instead.

As lawmakers applauded, he picked up his briefcase, shook the hands of a number of government ministers, and left. Michel made no comment to reporters upon entering and leaving Belgian King Philippe's residence, the Palace of Laeken in Brussels.

The king holds a largely symbolic role in Belgium but becomes a pivotal figure after inconclusive elections or disputes like the current one require the formation of new governments.

In a tweet, the Royal Palace said Philippe had received Michel and was "withholding his decision" about what steps to take next.

Belgian media said the king would meet party leaders Wednesday before deciding whether to accept the resignation the prime minister tendered on behalf of himself and his government.

Michel could be invited to lead a caretaker government until an election can be held.

It's the first time the king has faced such a crisis. He ascended to the throne in 2013 after his father, King Albert II, abdicated for health reasons.

The right-wing N-VA party quit the government after Michel sought parliamentary approval to support the U.N. compact against its wishes, branding his minority government "the Marrakech coalition," after the city where the migration treaty was signed just over a week ago.

The accord is non-binding, but the N-VA said it still went too far and would give even migrants who were in Belgium without authorization many additional rights.

The party launched an in-your-face social media campaign against the compact, featuring pictures of Muslim women with their faces covered and claiming that the accord focused on allowing migrants to retain the cultural practices of their homelands. But it quickly withdrew the materials after the campaign received widespread criticism.

A number of governments refused to sign the U.N. Global Compact Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. They included the United States, but also a group of European Union countries, among them Austria which holds the EU's rotating presidency until Dec. 31.

© Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has announced his resignation in address at parliament, says he will notify king.</s>BRUSSELS (AP) - Belgium's King Philippe is consulting leaders of political parties to work out who should govern the country until the next elections after Prime Minister Charles Michel handed in his resignation.

The king was expected to meet several party leaders Wednesday as he weighs whether to keep Michel temporarily in office at the head of a caretaker government or support any call for early elections.

Michel announced in parliament Tuesday that he would submit his resignation as pressure built on his government this week after the biggest party in his coalition quit over his support for a U.N. migration pact.

But the king did not immediately accept it, preferring to meet with party leaders first. Belgium is due to go the polls on May 26.

FILE - In this file photo dated Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel speaks with the media as he arrives for an EU summit at the Europa building in Brussels. Michel has resigned Tuesday Dec. 18, 2018, after the biggest party in his coalition quit over his support for the U.N. global compact on migration. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, FILE)

FILE - In this file photo dated Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel arrives for an EU summit in Brussels. Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has announced his resignation in address at parliament, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, and says he will notify the king. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, FILE)</s>Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has announced his resignation in address at parliament, says he will notify king

BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has announced his resignation in address at parliament, says he will notify king.</s>Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has resigned amid pressure on his government, after the biggest party in his coalition quit over his support for a UN-backed migration pact.

Michel told Belgian legislators on Tuesday that he was “taking the decision to offer my resignation”, adding he was “now going to see the king” to inform him.

The legislators had been demanding that he submit his new minority government to a confidence vote, but Michel had so far refused and a confrontation seemed likely this week.

Amid calls from some in the assembly for an early election, Michel again refused, saying it would only lead to “stagnation for the whole of 2019.” The next election is due in Belgium in May.

As legislators applauded, he picked up his briefcase, shook the hands of a number of government ministers, and left.

The right-wing N-VA party quit the government after Michel sought parliamentary approval to support the global migration deal against its wishes, branding his minority government “the Marrakech coalition,” after the city where the agreement was signed just over a week ago.</s>BRUSSELS — Belgium’s King Philippe is consulting leaders of political parties to work out who should govern the country until the next elections after Prime Minister Charles Michel handed in his resignation.

The king was expected to meet several party leaders Wednesday as he weighs whether to keep Michel temporarily in office at the head of a caretaker government or support any call for early elections.

Michel announced in parliament Tuesday that he would submit his resignation as pressure built on his government this week after the biggest party in his coalition quit over his support for a U.N. migration pact.

But the king did not immediately accept it, preferring to meet with party leaders first. Belgium is due to go the polls on May 26.</s>Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has resigned amid pressure on his government after the largest party in his coalition quit over his support for the United Nations global pact on migration, AP reported Tuesday.

Charles Michel told Belgian lawmakers Tuesday that “I am taking the decision to offer my resignation. I am now going to see the king” to inform him, as quoted by AP.</s>Belgium’s government of four years has fallen on the issue of migration after the country’s parliament rejected an appeal from prime minister, Charles Michel, for its support for a minority administration.

Michel was forced to offer his resignation to the King of the Belgians, Phillipe, after the Socialist party, with support from the Greens, proposed a vote of no confidence in his administration.

The country is now braced for a snap election in January. The head of Michel’s party said the opposition had rejected the government’s “fair offer” in order to secure a political scalp.

“The Socialist opposition and Greens wanted a trophy and have it”, said David Clarinval, chairman of the liberal Reform Movement party.

Following the departure of the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), the largest of the coalition government’s four parties, Michel had appealed to the federal parliament to back a minority administration until the country held its general election next May.

Michel was seeking a “coalition of good will” to see him through until the poll of 26 May, warning that the country would be otherwise left rudderless for months should his government fall.

But in a dramatic day in the Belgian parliament, the Socialist party refused to countenance such a proposal.

During an evening sitting of the chamber, Michel told MPs in response that he would be offering his resignation to the King.

“My call did not convince,” Michel said. “It was not heard. I have decided to resign and go to the King immediately.”

In answer to calls for an early election, Michel refused, saying it would only lead to “stagnation for the whole of 2019”.

As MPs applauded, the prime minister buttoned his waistcoat, picked up his briefcase, shook the hands of a number of government ministers, and left.

Michel was subsequently asked by the King to be a caretaker prime minister, with reduced powers, while parliament seeks to construct a new alliance of parties that can take the reins of power. It is expected that the talks with parties will take several days but that a election will be held in the new year.

The N-VA, a Flemish nationalist party with hardline views on immigration, walked out of the government earlier this month over Michel’s signature to a UN migration pact providing for a common global approach to migrant flows.

The draft UN accord lays down 23 objectives to open up legal migration and better manage a global flow of 250 million people, 3% of the world population.

The US dropped out of talks on the pact last year and countries including Italy, Hungary, Austria, Poland, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Australia have rejected it. The deal is expected to be ratified at the UN headquarters in New York on 19 December.
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel submits the resignation of his cabinet to King Philippe, after the biggest party in his coalition, the New Flemish Alliance, formally quit on 9 December over the government's support for the Global Compact for Migration. The King is withholding his decision.