Flemish government halts podcast 'Het Wassalon' costing 800,000 euros

The controversial podcast 'Het Wassalon', aimed at promoting equal opportunities, is being discontinued due to threats against its creators and budgetary concerns. Minister Caroline Gennez announced this in the Flemish Parliament, responding to criticism regarding its high cost of 800,000 euros. Despite opposition claims about its limited reach, an evaluation showed it reached one in five Flemish citizens. Gennez expressed regret that the controversy overshadowed the campaign's success, noting that contributors faced threats both online and offline. The total expenditure on the podcast was 342,619 euros, leading to its cancellation. Opposition member Maurits Vande Reyde criticized the reasons for its termination as absurd.