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Belgian Prime Minister Michel resigns

By Danielle Haynes
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel submitted his resignation to King Philippe. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI.
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel submitted his resignation to King Philippe. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI. | License Photo

Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel gave his resignation to the king Tuesday after opponents called for a no-confidence vote amid a coalition shakeup over his migration policy.

King Philippe did not immediately make a decision on whether to accept Michel's resignation. If he does, the country will likely hold a snap election in January.

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Michel's centrist government faced a collapse after the New Flemish Alliance withdrew from the coalition in opposition of an international migration pact. The prime minister was unable to gather enough support from other opposition groups to hold onto leadership.

Left-wing Socialist and Greens parties called for the vote of no confidence.

"The Socialist opposition and Greens wanted a trophy and have it," David Clarinval, chairman of the liberal Reform Movement Party, said, according to The Guardian.

The New Flemish Alliance holds a hardline stance on immigration and disagreed with Michel's support of a U.N. migration pact that provides an international response to handle the flow of migrants.

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