The Vice President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas sent to the leaders of the European Broadcasting Unionwhich organizes the singing competition Eurovisionone letter in which he asks for explanations for the decision to ban the display of the EU flag in the Malmoe Arena, the structure that hosted the match, in Sweden.
The Brussels letter
“As Vice President of the European Commission responsible, among other things, for political culture – writes Schinas – I learned with regret of the policy applied by the EBU this year to prohibit participants from waving the EU flag during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest”. This decision, Schinas continues, has “cast a shadow over what should be a joyous occasion for people across Europe and the world to come together, to celebrate. With less than a month to go until the European elections and in times of geopolitical turbulence, as the EU is targeted by evil and authoritarian actors, the EBU’s decision has helped discredit a symbol that unites all Europeans. This is all the more true when compared with the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where the IOC allowed the display of EU flags at all venues and award ceremonies.”
“The inconsistency in the EBU’s position has led me and many millions of viewers to ask ourselves what and who the Eurovision Song Contest represents. I ask you to explain the reasons for this decision and clarify responsibility. For my part, I expect to see the values of peace, tolerance and inclusiveness receive greater deference in the future,” he concludes.
