EU Commissioner for Culture, Glenn Micallef, has criticized the organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest for prohibiting performers from displaying the European Union flag on stage. He emphasized that Europeans should not have to ask permission to express their identity, Politico reports.
At last year’s contest in Malmö, the display of the EU flag and other non-state flags was banned, prompting sharp criticism from EU officials. In 2025, the European Broadcasting Union and the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation — the organizers of Eurovision — partially eased the rules, allowing the audience to wave the EU flag during the event. However, performers are still not permitted to do so.
Under current regulations, only national flags of participating countries are allowed on stage, in the artists’ areas, and on the “turquoise carpet” where performers appear before the public. The same restriction applies to the rainbow flag, which had been a frequent presence at previous contests.
Although Eurovision traditionally presents itself as an apolitical event, political issues often emerge in the context of the show, which is broadcast in dozens of countries and watched by hundreds of millions around the world.
For example, ahead of last year’s final in Malmö, thousands of protesters waving Palestinian flags gathered outside the venue. During the performance by Israeli contestant Eden Golan, the audience greeted her with loud boos and shouting.
