Belgian King accepts new coalition reshuffle

After an eventful evening which saw the federal coalition temporarily grind to a halt, Belgian King Philippe accepted the resignation of ministers and secretaries of state Jan Jambon, Johan van Overtveldt, Sander Loones, Theo Francken and Zuhal Demir, and named new replacements, announced the Palace in a public statement on Sunday.

A royal decree will formalize the new government reshuffle. Meanwhile, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has revealed that he does not require the confidence of Parliament to form a government, echoed the PM's spokesman on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, the prime minister was summoned to the Palace to meet the King at noon, before convening a council of ministers to address the urgency of forming a new coalition around 3 p.m. local time.

The new coalition will see Didier Reynders (MR) resume his role as Minister of Foreign Affairs but add Defense as a new component, indicated the PM's spokesman.

Public health minister Maggie De Block (Open VLD) has been confirmed also as Minister for Asylum and Migration and Alexander De Croo, also Open VLD, will take over the competence of Finance and Development Cooperation.

Pieter De Crem (CD&V) will become Interior and Security Minister and Philippe De Backer will take over the duties of Alexander De Croo as Minister for Telecoms and Digital Agenda.