The EU filed a formal complaint to the Eurovision broadcaster over its refusal to allow participants to wave EU flags during the finals.
According to Euractiv, Brussels filed a complaint against the broadcaster of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 on Tuesday, May 13. European Commission vice president Margaritis Schinas addressed the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
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, EBU’s decision contributed to discrediting a symbol that brings together all Europeans.
Schinas demanded that the broadcaster should “explain the rationale behind this decision [to ban EU flags] and attribute responsibility where it is due.”
The incoherence in the EBU’s stance left myself and millions of viewers wondering for what and for whom the Eurovision Song Contest stands.
Nemo from Switzerland won the Eurovision 2024 on Saturday, May 11. He became the first artist as non-binary to claim victory. Twenty-five countries took part in the competition. However, much of the attention focused on the controversy over Israel’s eligibility to participate.
The organisers reportedly banned all flags except those of the participating countries. However, Nemo carried a symbol representing non-binary people and displayed it during the show.
