The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has denied intending to belittle the European flag during the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden, and says it will review its flag policy for next year.
Last weekend's Eurovision – having already sparked controversy over Israel's participation and the disqualification of Dutch singer Joost Klein – became even more heated when the EU flag was reportedly left out of the event.
EBU Director-General Noel Curran said in a letter that there was never an express ban of the European flag at Eurovision, and that the flag had appeared in previous editions. "However, our general approach to flags at the venue each year has always been based on a positive, inclusive list of the flags of participating countries and the rainbow flag," he explained.
"In 2024, as a result of the sensitive global political context and serious security risks on-site, the list of accepted participating country flags, along with all other security policies, was applied more strictly than ever before at the entrance to the venue," Curran continued.
He insisted that it was "never our intention to discredit the European Union flag as such an important symbol of European unity and solidarity" and said the policy would be revised for next year's contest.
'Denied entry with the EU flag'
The flag issue erupted when Moldovan politician Dorin Frăsîneanu from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe party disclosed that he had been "denied entry to Eurovision with the EU flag." He said he was told by security that only national flags and LGBTQ+ rainbow flags were authorised.
On Monday, European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas sought clarification from the event's organisers in a strongly worded letter, in which he lamented that "such actions cast a shadow over what is meant to be a joyous occasion for peoples across Europe."
"With the EU being targeted by malicious and authoritarian actors, the EBU's decision contributed to discrediting a symbol that brings together all Europeans," Schinas wrote. He demanded that the broadcaster "explain the rationale behind this decision and attribute responsibility where it is due."
Moreover, the EU commissioner stressed that this occurred less than a month before the European elections, and at a time of geopolitical tensions. "The incoherence in the EBU's stance left myself and millions of viewers wondering for what and for whom the Eurovision Song Contest stands."
On Thursday, however, Schinas expressed satisfaction with the EBU's response, which he shared on social media.
I appreciate the positive reply from @EBU_HQ regarding my concerns raised on the ban of the EU flag during the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest.
United by Music United by our Flag 🇪🇺 #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/Bdh3Ldk7xL — Margaritis Schinas (@MargSchinas) May 16, 2024
"I appreciate the positive reply from EBU HQ regarding my concerns raised on the ban of the EU flag during the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. United by Music, United by our Flag," he wrote.
