bpost Held Liable for Rigging Belgian Newspaper Distribution Tender but Received Leniency Immunity

Summary

In February 2026, the Belgian Competition Authority held bpost, DPG Media, Mediahuis and PPP liable for manipulating the public tender for Belgium's 2023-2027 newspaper distribution concession. The authority found that the parties agreed that bpost competitor PPP would not submit an offer in exchange for additional newspaper-distribution volumes, leaving bpost as the only bidder and eliminating competition. The companies acknowledged participation and accepted a settlement. bpost itself received full immunity from a fine under the leniency programme because it revealed the underlying facts to the authority. The case is therefore recorded as a proven competition infringement without falsely stating that bpost paid part of the €11.898 million combined fines imposed on the other parties. Source: Belgian Competition Authority https://www.belgiancompetition.be/en/about-us/actualities/press-release-no-6-2026