Spain: Broadcaster president proposes to stay out of Eurovision 2027
The president of Spanish broadcaster RTVE will propose to its Board of Directors that Spain does not return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027
RTVE president José Pablo López has announced that he will propose to the broadcaster's Board of Directors that Spain remains out of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027.
López announced his position on Tuesday during an appearance before the parliamentary committee overseeing RTVE.
Spain withdrew from Eurovision 2026 due to Israel's participation, and López wants the broadcaster to maintain that position for 2027.
Spain should stay out
López says that RTVE's position has always been "firm" and "quite clear":
– No one with the slightest human sensitivity can witness the suffering of the Palestinian people without strongly and firmly condemning what is an intolerable human tragedy.
– We have not looked the other way, so to speak.
López also highlights changes that RTVE says it has helped achieve through negotiations with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), alongside other European countries and public broadcasters.
According to López, negotiations have resulted in stricter governance rules, measures to penalize attempts at political instrumentalization and requirements to ensure the neutrality of sponsorships and the contest itself.
However, he says these changes have not addressed all of RTVE's concerns:
– We are fully aware that not all objectives have been achieved and that it is deeply painful that, despite everything and given the situation that continues in Gaza, Israel's public broadcaster will continue to participate in the organization.
López concludes:
– Therefore, we are not making a complacent assessment. We recognize that there has been technical progress, but there is also an obvious unresolved issue on the ethical front.
López will now put the proposal to RTVE's Board of Directors to maintain Spain's suspension from Eurovision for another year.
Shortly after López announced his recommendation, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) issued a statement in response.
Martin Green, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, says that the EBU respects RTVE’s process and will await the final decision from the broadcaster’s Board of Directors.
ADDED 22 September 2026, 19:20 CEST
EBU Statement
We've seen today's comments from RTVE's President recommending that Spain does not return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027. We respect RTVE's process and will await their Board’s final decision.
Over the past year, we have listened carefully to the concerns raised by our Members. As a result, the Reference Group, the Contest’s governing body, have made significant changes to the Eurovision Song Contest. These include stronger safeguards against undue external influence and promotion, tighter voting limits, the return of professional juries to the Semi-Finals, broader and more diverse juries, enhanced voting measures, and further changes to ensure that the Contest can always be hosted in a safe and secure environment.
We regret that, despite these changes, a recommendation will be made that RTVE does not take part in the Contest next year.
RTVE has been part of the Eurovision Song Contest since 1961, and we value its long contribution to the Contest. We'd be disappointed not to have Spain join us in Bulgaria, and we hope to see RTVE back in the Contest in the future.
Martin Green CBE, Director Eurovision Song Contest
Source: EBU
Spain's road to withdrawal
Spain's dispute with the EBU dates back to Eurovision 2025, when RTVE called for a full review of the voting system following the contest. The Spanish broadcaster asked for an independent external audit of the results, a review of both the jury and public voting, and stronger measures to detect coordinated voting campaigns or interference.
In September 2025, RTVE's Board of Directors decided that Spain would not participate in Eurovision 2026 if Israel remained in the competition. The broadcaster also decided that it would not broadcast the contest under those circumstances. Benidorm Fest continued independently of Eurovision.
When the EBU subsequently introduced changes to the rules but allowed Israel to remain in the competition, RTVE confirmed Spain's withdrawal from Eurovision 2026. Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Slovenia also did not participate in the contest in Vienna.
Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest
Spain has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 64 times since their debut in 1961. They have won twice: in 1968 (La, La, La...) and the following year, 1969 (Vivo Cantando).
Spain is a member of the "Big-5," which means they don't have to go through the Semi-final round and are automatically qualified for the Grand Final. Spain is also a member of "club zero" because they have managed to get zero points 3 times. They have finished in last place 5 times in Eurovision history, the latest coming in 2017.
Spain's best-known song is probably "Eres Tú" from Eurovision 1973 (2nd place, only four points away from victory).
