Belgium: Right-wing party quits govt over migration row

By Serife Cetin

BRUSSELS (AA) - Belgium’s right-wing N-VA party, the biggest party in parliament, on Sunday announced it is quitting the ruling coalition amid a row over migration.

"I would like to state that the N-VA ministers have officially presented their resignation," Interior Minister Jan Jambon told VRT radio.

Jambon’s move followed Saturday’s resignation of Migration Minister Theo Francken, an N-VA member whose anti-immigrant remarks have stirred controversy.

Prime Minister Charles Michel on Saturday confirmed that he will attend a UN conference in Morocco starting Monday to express support for the UN Global Compact for Migration.

For his part, Michel said the government will continue as a minority coalition including the liberal MR, the center-right CD&V, and the Open VLD.

According to Belgian local media, Michel on Sunday will meet with King Philippe to inform him about the resignations.

Although the UN pact is not legally binding, the N-VA argued that it would violate Belgium's sovereignty and undermine the government's stance against migrants.