THE Eurovision Song Contest has updated its flag policy ahead of this year’s competition after facing backlash for banning Palestine banners and confiscating pride flags, reports say.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has reportedly loosened restrictions on audience members displaying flags for the 2025 event, which will take place in Basel, Switzerland on May 13.
DR, also known as the Danish Broadcasting Corporation, obtained this year’s official policy regarding national and political emblems.
The Danish site reported that the new EBU policy states that “political messages should be avoided” – but notes host country Switzerland’s “high value on freedom of expression”.
As a result, spectators are seemingly permitted to bring all flags into the St Jakobshalle arena – including that of Palestine, which was notably banned from the 2024 contest.
Only items displaying symbols that violate Swiss law, such as featuring discriminatory and racist content or promoting known terrorism organisations, will be prohibited.
The official policy was that only rainbow pride flags and those of competing countries – including Israel – were permitted for spectators last year, with organisers claiming “clothes, items or posters that can be used as instruments to be shown on television screens” featuring pro-Palestinian symbolism would also be subject to a potential ban.
Whilst guidelines for fans have relaxed some for 2025, performers will face harsher restrictions.
Under the new policy, artists are reportedly only permitted to use the official flag of the country they are representing during Eurovision-related events, which will be provided to them by Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR.
Artists have also received a blanket ban from displaying “symbols of solidarity,” meaning performers will not be allowed to hold flags or banners representing Ukraine or Palestine, despite looser restrictions on audience members.
Bosses say this is to retain the “political neutrality” of Eurovision after last year’s winner Nemo smuggled the non-binary flag on stage and Irish contestant Bambi Thug wore acrylic nails painted to represent the colours of Palestine.
The contest faced calls for a boycott over their decision to allow Israel to compete amidst the ongoing atrocities being committed against Palestinians, meanwhile Russia was outlawed in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine.
