The socialist and Christian trade unions at Flemish public broadcaster VRT are calling on the VRT management not to wait for further industrial action but to follow the Dutch example and not to take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest. The Dutch announced today they would not enter next year’s contest, though it would be broadcast. Their decision is linked to Isreal’s participation and the situation in Gaza.
Broadcast unions call on VRT to follow Dutch example and withdraw from Eurovision Song Contest
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Flemish public broadcaster VRT announced this morning that it would not be reversing its decision to take part.
“Perhaps our management also needs 500 signatures from staff first before it will reconsider its decision,” says trades unionist Carlos Van Hoeymissen. “In that case, we’ll be happy to collect them. But surely, they must be able to understand from discussions on the work floor just how few people at VRT still support the decision to go ahead.”
“(Dutch broadcaster) NPO took the only morally acceptable decision: not to take part in a contest that is marred by the continued participation of Israel, a country whose leaders are guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity,” trades unionist Wies Descheemaeker added.
Following the VRT’s decision to take part, VRT’s Christian and socialist trade unions issued strike notification for the days on which the Song Contest is broadcast: 11, 13 and 15 May 2027. From the many positive reactions to this, they have concluded that there is only limited support amongst VRT staff for participating in the Song Contest.
VRT stands by its decision to participate
Earlier, the state-funded broadcaster VRT said it “had taken note of the decision by Dutch broadcasters”.
“That decision is the result of internal deliberations and decision-making in the Netherlands and does not detract from the changes that have been set in motion within the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) in recent times,” the statement reads.
“We made that choice based on our own assessment and because we wish to continue to support and influence the necessary changes within the EBU. As we indicated when announcing our participation, that decision is not a blank cheque for the EBU.”