EU accuses Eurovision bosses of handing “win” to “enemies of Europe” with flag ban
EU Fee Vice President Margaritis Schinas has accused Eurovision bosses of handing a “win” to “enemies of Europe” with the choice to ban EU flags on the 2024 closing.
Information broke earlier this 12 months that the tune contest could be banning any flags being held up aside from these of the international locations competing within the competitors. This included the present of Palestinian flags – amid the battle in Gaza – and EU flags.
Now, talking with Politico’s Brussels Playbook after Saturday’s finale (Might 11), Schinas has described the transfer as “mind-blowing”, and criticised it as being ill-timed given subsequent month’s European election and amid 1000’s of Georgian protesters gathering in Tbilisi in assist of the democratic values the EU represents.
“I can not discover the logical clarification for why the EBU is doing this. And what does this serve? Lower than a month from the European elections, who wins from banning the EU flag from Eurovision?” the commissioner stated. “Solely the Euroskeptics and the enemies of Europe.”
A spokesperson for Fee President Ursula von der Leyen shared an analogous sentiment, including: “It’s definitely regrettable to ban the flag that’s the flag of all of the EU members and different Council of Europe members collaborating within the contest and sometimes flies alongside nationwide flags on public buildings.”
The Vice President of the European Fee, Margaritis Schinas, speaks on the opening ceremony, on April 4, 2024, in Seville, Andalusia, Spain. CREDIT: Francisco J. Olmo/Europa Press through Getty Photos
In response to the backlash, an EBU spokesperson has said that the flag coverage on the 2024 version of the tune contest was “the identical as in 2023,” with followers solely permitted to carry flags of “taking part international locations and the rainbow/satisfaction flags.”
That being stated, Politico has highlighted that final 12 months’s recording of the competition clearly confirmed EU flags within the viewers, when the occasion was held in Liverpool.
Schinas concluded by stating that he would elevate the matter with EBU administration on immediately (Might 13). “I’ll discuss to them. I received’t let this cross,” he stated. “I’ll search explanations and clarifications.”
Switzerland received the competition in Malmö, Sweden, with contestant Nemo performing their tune ‘The Code’. The victory got here after they topped the jury vote and got here in fifth within the public vote. The win marked the primary for the nation since Celine Dion picked up the win in 1988 with ‘Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi’. They’re additionally the primary non-binary winner within the competitors’s historical past.
Throughout their look on the post-show press convention, Nemo additionally criticised the way in which that the competition was run by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), making particular reference to their coverage of not permitting non-binary flags into the sector.
“I needed to smuggle my flag in as a result of Eurovision stated no, however I did it anyway, so I hope some individuals did that too. However, I imply, come on, that is clearly a double customary.”
Additionally they appeared to interrupt the crystal winner’s trophy, and added: “The trophy could be fastened – possibly Eurovision wants fixing a bit bit too, now and again.”
Nemo from Switzerland, winner of the Eurovision Music Contest, attends the press convention after The Eurovision Music Contest 2024 Grand Remaining at Malmö Area on Might 11, 2024 in Malmo, Sweden. (Photograph by Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty Photos)
Eire’s contestant Bambie Thug additionally spoke out towards the EBU throughout post-Eurovision interviews, claiming that they don’t absolutely symbolize “what Eurovision is”.
The Cork singer has confronted vital challenges all through the competitors resulting from their pro-Palestinian stance. It was revealed they have been pressured to take away the phrases ‘ceasefire’ and ‘freedom for Palestine’ in a mediaeval script from their costume resulting from Eurovision’s political neutrality clause. A now-deleted TikTok confirmed Bambie reacting to the choice, telling the digital camera: “It’s fucked up”.
After the finale, they criticised the EBU in additional direct phrases and in addition revealed that the ambiance round this 12 months’s controversial version of the competition had been “so laborious and so horrible”.
“I’m so happy with Nemo profitable,” they stated. “I simply wish to say, we’re what the Eurovision is. The EBU shouldn’t be what the Eurovision is. Fuck the EBU. I don’t even care anymore. Fuck them. The factor that makes that is the contestants, the group behind it, the love and the facility and the assist of all of us is what’s making change.”
They concluded: “The world has spoken. The queers are coming. Non-binaries for the fucking win.”
This 12 months’s contest was dogged with controversy following the EBU’s determination to permit Israel to compete amongst the Israel-Palestine battle.
The transfer was criticised as “cultural cowl and endorsement for the catastrophic violence that Israel has unleashed on Palestinians” by organisations similar to Queers for Palestine, who wrote an open letter to UK entry Olly Alexander to boycott the competition this 12 months.
Over 1,000 Swedish artists known as for Israel to be banned this 12 months, similar to Robyn, Fever Ray, and First Support Package, and artists similar to Olly Alexander confronted calls to boycott the occasion.
Yesterday (Might 12), it was reported that Eurovision rankings apparently plunged amidst a number of controversies and boycott calls.
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