Eurovision 2025: Belgium’s major national broadcasters and the ruling party are calling for increased transparency from the European Broadcasting Union, raising questions about the voting process and participation in the contest.
For the first time since the media storm erupted in Belgium over the public vote at Eurovision 2025, the French-speaking national broadcaster RTBF has broken its silence—publicly supporting the Flemish broadcaster VRT’s demand for full transparency from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). In measured yet unequivocal language, the broadcaster clarified: “In light of ongoing discussions regarding the voting system, RTBF supports the need to ensure the highest levels of transparency.”
Alternating Responsibility: The Link Between VRT and RTBF
Unlike most European countries, Belgium is divided between two public national broadcasters by language region: VRT is responsible for the Flemish (Dutch-speaking) region, while RTBF covers the French-speaking area. Responsibility for Belgium’s participation in Eurovision alternates between them—one year under VRT, the next under RTBF. In 2025, VRT was in charge, but in 2026, RTBF will lead preparations and participation.
This makes RTBF’s position critical: when both national broadcasters present a unified stance, the demand becomes a national position, not merely an internal sectoral issue. RTBF’s support for VRT’s position may increase pressure on the European Broadcasting Union.
RTBF Clarifies: “We Will Support Changes If Needed”
In addition to supporting transparency, RTBF emphasized its willingness to cooperate with changes to the voting system and to adapt as necessary: “We are available for joint work, and if needed—to adapt to improvements and changes in the competition format,” the broadcaster stated in its official announcement.
RTBF also stressed its commitment to “defending the editorial independence of EBU members and ensuring the safety of journalists and public media in Europe”—a statement echoing growing criticism of the warning issued to the Spanish broadcaster over references to the war in Gaza.
Ruling Party Demands Investigation: “A System That Encourages Manipulation”
Alongside the broadcasters’ positions, the political pressure continues from the Flemish ruling party “Vooruit,” which is demanding a thorough investigation into the voting mechanism. According to them, the unusual gap between the public vote and the jury—especially in the case of Israel—requires a review of the entire system.
Parliament member Katia Segers sharply criticized the current model: “A system where each person can vote up to 20 times is one that encourages manipulation. It should be examined whether such manipulation occurred in our country and in other participating and non-participating countries. VRT must initiate this investigation and lead the discussion on the voting system and Israel’s participation.”
Belgium vs. Israel: Not for the First Time
In recent months, public criticism of Israel’s participation has intensified. Notably, before the broadcast of the first Eurovision semi-final, the socialist public sector union ACOD, in collaboration with the Belgian broadcaster, aired Oxfam’s “Speak Up For Palestine” campaign video in protest of Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2025. The campaign featured various celebrities expressing opposition to violence in Gaza.
Ahead of tonight’s semi-final broadcast, the socialist public sector union ACOD, together with VRT, aired Oxfam’s “Speak Up For Palestine” campaign video as a protest against Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2025
Last year, during the second semi-final of Eurovision 2024, the Flemish broadcaster VRT briefly interrupted the live broadcast to display a message to viewers at home. The message, directed last year against Israel, read: “This is an industrial action. We condemn the human rights violations by the State of Israel. Furthermore, the State of Israel destroys press freedom. That is why we are stopping the broadcast for a moment.” The message included the hashtags #CeaseFireNow and #StopGenocideNow.
Rising Tensions: Israel, Transparency, and the Future of the Contest
This year’s Belgian controversy is notable not only for its intensity but also for its scope: with both national broadcasters and the ruling party voicing public criticism, it is clear that Eurovision has shifted from a cultural issue to a major political topic. The debate is no longer just about Israel’s position in the contest, but about the future of the voting mechanism itself—and whether it can retain public trust.
Perhaps, however, the political storm in Belgium over the Eurovision 2025 public vote is less about genuine concern for transparency or values, and more about diverting attention from Belgium’s own disappointing results in the contest.
For context: Belgian representative Red Sebastian finished only 14th out of 15 in the first semi-final, with just 23 points—a bitter disappointment for a country with a long Eurovision history. Last year, Belgium also failed to reach the grand final, with Mustii finishing 13th out of 16 with only 18 points. It may be easier to blame the voting system, the audience, or Israel, than to confront the disappointment of the results themselves.
source: rtbf
Eurovision 2025: The 69th Eurovision Song Contest was held in the city of Basel, Switzerland, on May 13, 15, and 17. This marked the third time Switzerland hosted the contest, with the previous occasion being in 1989 in Lausanne. The venue for the event was St. Jakobshalle, which has a capacity of 12,400 seats. It was the first time that Basel served as the host city for the Eurovision Song Contest.
