Eurovision song contest: EU says flag ban is ‘regrettable’

The European Commission has described a decision to ban the EU flag from Saturday’s Eurovision Song Contest as “regrettable”, after a politician said he had been prevented from bringing the 12-starred banner into the Malmö arena.

Writing on X, external, formerly Twitter, Dorin Frasineanu from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe party said he had been “denied entry to Eurovision with the EU flag”.

“We were told by security it’s ‘political’ and ‘not allowed’,” he added.

According to European Broadcasting Union (EBU) rules, only flags of “participating countries and the rainbow/pride flags” are allowed inside the contest venue.

A spokesperson for the EBU said the Eurovision flag policy this year was “the same as 2023”.

Speaking to reporters on Monday afternoon, European Commission spokesperson Eric Mamer said it was “completely regrettable that the flag of all the EU members taking part in the competition… could not be shown”.

The European Commission will “make the point very clearly that there’s no reason not to allow this flag, in fact we would encourage the EBU to allow and ensure it is shown”, Mr Mamer said.

He also clarified that as the Eurovision Song Contest was not organised by the EU, they could only make their views known and encourage the EBU to “understand it was a mistake”.

Commenting on Mr Frasineanu’s social media post, European Commission vice-president Margaritis Schinas said: “Eurovision is first and foremost a celebration of European spirit, of our European diversity and talent.”

He added the EU flag was a “symbol” of that and, less than a month before European elections, there should be “no obstacles, big or small, to celebrating what unites all Europeans”.

The EU said it is now seeking answers from the EBU, with Mr Schinas planning to discuss the issue later on Monday.

In an interview with Politico, he said the EBU’s decision to ban EU flags during Saturday’s Eurovision final was a gift to “the enemies of Europe”.

“Who wins from banning the EU flag from Eurovision?” the commissioner added. “Only the Eurosceptics and the enemies of Europe.”