RTVE, the Spanish national broadcaster, have held discussions around participation, at the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, in Burgas.

The Chair of RTVE, José Pablo López, has proposed to the Board of Directors that Spain should continue their non-participation at the Eurovision Song Contest. José Pablo López had the following to say:

“We have negotiated to strengthen governance rules, to effectively penalise any attempt at political manipulation, and to guarantee the strict neutrality of sponsorships and the festival itself. These are issues that have been achieved thanks to the negotiations of the RTVE group.

No one with even the slightest human sensitivity can witness the suffering of the Palestinian people without a resounding and severe condemnation of what is an intolerable human tragedy.”

Martin Green CBE, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, had the following to say:

“We’ve seen today’s comments from RTVE’s President recommending that Spain does not return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027. We respect RTVE’s process and will await their Board’s final decision.

Over the past year, we have listened carefully to the concerns raised by our Members. As a result, the Reference Group, the Contest’s governing body, have made significant changes to the Eurovision Song Contest. These include stronger safeguards against undue external influence and promotion, tighter voting limits, the return of professional juries to the Semi-Finals, broader and more diverse juries, enhanced voting measures, and further changes to ensure that the Contest can always be hosted in a safe and secure environment. 

We regret that, despite these changes, a recommendation will be made that RTVE does not take part in the Contest next year.

RTVE has been part of the Eurovision Song Contest since 1961, and we value its long contribution to the Contest. We’d be disappointed not to have Spain join us in Bulgaria, and we hope to see RTVE back in the Contest in the future.”

Let us know what you think about Spain and the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest – either in the comments below or on our FACEBOOK, BLUESKY, TWITTER, YOUTUBE, INSTAGRAM and TIKTOK pages.

The Eurovision Community, which Eurovision Ireland are a part of, celebrates diversity through music. Please keep your comments respectful. We will not tolerate racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, body-shaming or any other derogatory or hostile language.

Author: Richard Taylor

Source: Eurovoix