Belgium Prime Minister Charles Michel 'resigns' as crisis-hit government faces no confidence motion

Charles Michel pictured in July
AFP/Getty Images
James Morris18 December 2018

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has said he will resign after facing a no confidence motion in his government.

Mr Michel made the announcement after the N-VA, the biggest party in his minority coalition, quit over his migration stance.

The Prime Minister, who had only relaunched his government last week, said on Tuesday evening: “I am taking the decision to offer my resignation. I am now going to see the king.”

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

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, centre, arrives at the Royal Castle of Laeken in Brussels to offer the resignation of his government
AFP/Getty Images

His leadership collapsed after the right-wing N-VA’s protests against his support of the United Nations’ global pact on migration to support refugees.

The N-VA quit after Mr Michel sought parliamentary approval to support the UN pact against its wishes.

Charles Michel pictured at the EU summit on Thursday last week
Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP

It branded his minority government "the Marrakech coalition" after the city where the pact was signed last week.

However, with parliamentary elections due in May next year, Mr Michel could be asked by King Philippe to stay on in a caretaker capacity - but with limited power.

The king may also speak to other political leaders in a bid to resolve the issue.

Additional reporting by agencies.

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