Schinas' letter to the EBU: "Who is the Eurovision Song Contest for?" - Eurovision News | Music

European Commission’s Vice President Margaritis Schinas sent a letter to the management of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) today, expressing his regret over the prohibition of the EU flag at the Eurovision Song Contest final and demanding explanations.

As the Commissioner responsible, among other things, for cultural policy in the EU, Schinas highlights in his letter to the EBU, that for almost seven decades, Eurovision has embodied the values of diversity and cultural exchange – values shared and supported by the EU. He further expresses “regret” for “the policy applied by the EBU this year to prohibit participants from waving the EU flag during the Eurovision Song Contest final.”

“Such actions have cast a shadow over what is intended to be a joyful event for people across Europe and the world to come together in celebration. Less than a month before the European elections and in times of geopolitical turmoil, with the EU being targeted by malicious and authoritarian actors, the decision of the EBU has contributed to the devaluation of a symbol that unites all Europeans,” stated Schinas in his letter. Conversely, he points out that at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, “the IOC allowed the display of EU flags in all venues and award ceremonies.”

“The inconsistency in the EBU‘s stance has left me and many millions of viewers wondering what and whose Eurovision Song Contest is,” emphasizes the Commissioner, calling on the EBU management to explain the rationale behind this decision.

The response from the European Broadcasting Union remains to be seen, with voices against it growing stronger day by day after the events in Malmö.

Follow us on all social media, so you don’t miss a moment of what’s happening around the Eurovision Song Contest: