EU criticizes Eurovision for banning flag on stage.

Criticism of Eurovision organizers for banning the use of the EU flag

The head of the European Union for culture expressed discontent regarding the decision to prohibit Eurovision participants from using the European Union flag during their performances on stage. He believes that the EU symbol should be available for demonstration without any restrictions. This statement was published on Politico.

Last year at the competition in Malmö, the ban on the use of EU flags and other national symbols at Eurovision was discussed. This year, in Basel, the audience was allowed to bring EU flags, but participants were still prohibited from doing so.

«The European flag symbolizes our values, our European identity, inclusiveness - and the citizenship of nearly half a billion people», highlighted Glenn Micallef, EU Commissioner for Culture.

According to Eurovision rules, artists are only allowed to use the national flags of their countries during ceremonies and performances. The ban also extends to other symbols, including the rainbow flag.

Eurovision usually avoids political debates, but sometimes political views are indeed present at the competition, which has a large audience worldwide.