Belgium's fragile governing coalition could be staring at collapse as Prime Minister Bart De Wever threatens to resign unless it approves a cost-cutting budget Thursday.

The straight-talking Flemish conservative -- who only became premier in February after seven months of painstaking negotiations -- is seeking to turn the screws on his ruling partners as he tries to push through 10 billion euros ($11 billion) of savings by 2030.

Those around De Wever admit his gambit is likely a bluff -- but, if the deadlock persists, it risks plunging a country long-used to political wrangling into a fresh crisis.

Talks over the new budget have already dragged on for several months, with a number of self-imposed deadlines missed.

De Wever portrays the cuts as vital to help reduce Belgium's eye-waterin

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