In the aftermath of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 held in Basel, Switzerland, numerous broadcasters have called the results into question. Following RTVE’s formal request to the EBU, Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez has called for the expulsion of Israel from Eurovision.
Spain’s PM Pedro Sánchez questions EBU ‘double standard’
Despite the joyous scenes for Austria’s third victory in the Eurovision Song Contest, for JJ’s, ‘Wasted Love’, numerous broadcasters had concerns with the televoting results. Many, including Spain’s RTVE have raised formal complaints with the EBU following the televote victory and second place for Israel.
Recently RTVE requested a full audit and complete breakdown from the EBU of its own televoting results. Now the Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez has become the first world leader to openly state an opinion that Israel should be expelled from Eurovision.
In a public interview in Madrid, Pedro Sánchez noted the EBU’s current stance on Russia’s exclusion from Eurovision events.
“Nobody was up in arms when the Russian invasion of Ukraine began three years ago and [Russia] had to leave international competitions and could not take part, as we have just seen, in Eurovision. Therefore Israel shouldn’t either, because what we cannot allow is double standards in culture.”
The PM also backed the decision of the national broadcaster to highlight the civilian death toll in Gaza during the second Semi-Final. A decision that forced the EBU to issue a warning to RTVE.
“Spain’s commitment to international law and human rights must be constant and must be coherent.”
The Director of ESC, Martin Green has since responded to the comments by the Spanish PM. In a comment to NME, Martin stated:
“The EBU is an association of public service broadcasters, not governments. We remain in constant contact with all participating broadcasters of the Eurovision Song Contest, including RTVE in Spain, and take their concerns seriously. Now that the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 has concluded we will have a broad discussion with all participating broadcasters, to reflect and obtain feedback on all aspects of this year’s event as part of our planning process for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest next year.”
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