The Spanish prime minister on Friday defended his country’s decision not to participate in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, saying Spain could not remain silent over Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon, Anadolu reports.
Pedro Sanchez, in a video message shared on the US social media platform X, said Spain’s absence from the competition reflects its commitment to human rights and international law.
“This year will be different,” Sanchez said, recalling Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE’s decision to not participate, describing it as “both consistent and necessary: to stand up against injustice.”
“That is why Spain is not participating in the Eurovision Song Contest, because our commitment to human rights and international law is also expressed through culture,” he said.
The prime minister compared the move to the exclusion of Russia from the contest following its war on Ukraine.
