Spanish broadcaster RTVE lambasts Eurovision as 'festival dominated by geopolitical interests'

The president of the Spanish public television channel RTVE has lambasted Eurovision as "a festival dominated by geopolitical interests". 

"What happened at the EBU Assembly confirms that Eurovision is not a song contest but a festival dominated by geopolitical interests and deeply fractured," said José Pablo López, president of the Spanish public television channel RTVE, on X on Thursday.

Spain is one of four countries that has decided to boycott the Eurovision contest after the General Assembly did not vote on Israel's participation, along with Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands.

The RTVE Board of Directors said it had agreed last September it would withdraw if Israel participated. 

In a statement abouti its withdrawal, RTVE said, "RTVE, along with seven other countries, has formally requested a secret ballot at the Assembly. The EBU presidency has denied RTVE's request for a specific vote on Israel's participation. This decision increases RTVE's distrust of the festival's organization and confirms the political pressure surrounding it.

"In his address to the General Assembly prior to the vote, RTVE Secretary General Alfonso Morales explained that the Corporation 'recognizes and values' the measures adopted by the EBU and the Reference Group to defend the core principles and values ​​of the Eurovision Song Contest. 'However, we consider these measures insufficient,' he stated.

“'We would like to express our serious doubts about the participation of Israeli broadcaster KAN in Eurovision 2026. The situation in Gaza, despite the ceasefire and the approval of the peace process, and Israel’s use of the contest for political purposes, make it increasingly difficult to maintain Eurovision as a neutral cultural event ,' he remarked.

"The head of the Corporation also expressed concern about the manipulation of the vote in recent editions and the lack of sanctions in this regard. 'We shouldn't accept double standards. Neutrality and transparency are a shared objective to guarantee a truthful result that respects the audience and the citizens,' he stated."