Just days before Belgium is scheduled to unveil its artist for the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, the celebration is being overshadowed by a fierce internal conflict. In a rare display of unity across the language border, trade unions from both the Flemish broadcaster VRT and the French-speaking RTBF have launched a joint action demanding a total withdrawal from the competition.

The core of the issue remains the same as in previous years: the continued participation of Israel amidst the ongoing violence in Gaza. For the staff representing the Belgian public broadcasters, the show simply cannot go on as usual.

Visitors and employees entering the shared headquarters of VRT and RTBF at the Reyerslaan in Brussels are currently greeted by an unavoidable message. The unions have erected an installation featuring wooden figures holding a stark sign: ‘Boycott Eurovision’.

According to the unions, the time for subtle hints has passed. This marks the third consecutive year of protests regarding the contest, but 2026 brings a more organized and aggressive approach.

This is the third year in a row that we are campaigning around the Song Festival, the first year we interrupted the broadcast with a placard, last year we found a partner in Oxfam, and this year we are standing here together with our colleagues from RTBF, supported by a large movement from civil society.

Ilse Orbaen, ACOD

While the objective, a boycott, is shared, the specific demands differ slightly depending on which side of the building you are on.

For RTBF (French-speaking): The union CGSP is demanding that the broadcaster refuse to send a candidate to Vienna altogether.

For VRT (Flemish): The union ACOD is pressuring the directorate to scrub the live broadcast from the television schedule entirely.

The unions argue that public funds and public platforms should not be used to normalize an event that they feel ignores significant humanitarian violations.

The situation in Belgium appears to be a microcosm of a much larger fracture within the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Eric Tamundele of CGSP notes that the Belgian unions are not shouting into the void but are part of a widening international movement.

According to Tamundele, the landscape of Eurovision 2026 is already shifting dramatically. He cites that nations such as Spain, the Netherlands, and Ireland have opted for a boycott this year. Meanwhile, unions in Malta and Greece are currently mobilizing to block the broadcasts in their respective territories.

Despite the palpable tension in the hallways, the upper management of both broadcasters seems determined to proceed.

RTBF is moving forward with its timeline to reveal the Belgian entry for Vienna. The announcement is scheduled for the morning of Thursday, February 19. This comes after a disappointing 2025 event where the Belgian entrant, Red Sebastian, failed to qualify for the final with his track “Strobe Lights,” finishing 14th in the first semi-final.

On the Flemish side, VRT has indicated it intends to broadcast the contest. However, acknowledging the internal and external pressure, they have stated the show will be aired with “additional framing” to provide context to viewers, rather than presenting it purely as light entertainment.

Photo: ACOD-vrt