Portugal’s RTP faces intense political and public pressure over Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, yet backs EBU reforms and confirms its place in Vienna
The preparations for Eurovision 2026 are in full swing, and voices from Lisbon’s corridors are revealing the scale of the battle unfolding across Europe over Israel’s participation in the contest. Nicolau Santos, chair of the board of directors of Portugal’s national broadcaster (RTP), dropped a political bombshell this week during a hearing of the Portuguese Parliament’s Committee on Culture, Communication, Youth and Sport, openly acknowledging the severe pressure the broadcaster has faced in recent months.
Gaza concert sparks controversy
The heated parliamentary debate did not begin with Eurovision. Santos spoke in response to a pointed question from representatives of the right-wing party Chega, who challenged the broadcaster’s neutrality after its decision to air the concert “Juntos por Gaza” (“Together for Gaza”). To demonstrate that the broadcaster faces criticism and pressure from across the political spectrum, Santos brought up the Eurovision case.
“Unimaginable pressure”
Answering questions from MPs from the right-wing bloc, Santos did not attempt to sugarcoat the situation. He said that the national broadcaster had come under enormous pressure from various organisations, trade unions and political actors who demanded that Portugal withdraw from the contest if Israel remains in it. “There were constant demands that we should not be there and that we should not take part in the next Eurovision because of Israel’s presence”, Santos told the committee, describing the tight spot the national broadcaster finds itself in. The background to his remarks is a wave of domestic protests in Portugal, including petitions signed by broadcaster employees calling on management to take a moral stand and boycott the contest.
Why Portugal stays in Eurovision
Santos explained to MPs why, despite the heavy public pressure, RTP chose to remain in the contest. The main argument was adherence to the rules of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), but Santos also revealed an additional detail about what happened inside the EBU’s meeting rooms.
According to him, Portugal’s national broadcaster did not sit idly by. At the general assembly of the EBU, Portugal voted in favour of reforming the voting system, with the goal of increasing transparency and oversight of the results. “We voted to change the system to ensure greater transparency”, Santos explained. Once this decision was approved and, in the view of Portugal’s national broadcaster, the conditions for fairness were guaranteed, the EBU’s position was that the contest remains open to all participating countries – including Israel.
“Eurovision 2026 will include everyone who wishes to take part, and that includes Israel”, Santos concluded. “And therefore we will be there as well”.
A month of turmoil in Lisbon
The parliamentary statement is just the tip of the iceberg after an exceptionally turbulent month in Portugal. Readers who follow Eurovision coverage already know that Santos’s remarks come on the heels of a series of dramatic developments:
1. The wave of refusals and artists’ revolt: Just two weeks ago, several bands and artists announced that they would boycott the Portuguese national selection Festival da Canção if Israel competes in Eurovision.
2. The broadcaster’s zigzag: At the beginning of December, the situation looked grim. Reports of internal drama within RTP highlighted deep divisions in management, with some employees demanding a withdrawal. It took several days of uncertainty until, on 11th December, the broadcaster issued a clear statement: “We will participate in Eurovision 2026″.
3. The public thinks differently: Despite the political and media furore, the Portuguese public appears to be in a different place altogether. A poll published at the end of December showed broad support for continued participation in the contest, giving the leadership of Portugal’s national broadcaster the backing it needed to face lawmakers in parliament and defend its decision.
Festival da Canção 2026 dates
21st February – first semi-final
28th February – second semi-final
7th March – grand final
What is your view of Portugal’s stance? Should public broadcasters bow to political pressure or stick to the contest’s rules? Share your thoughts in the comments.
“Deslocado” (in English: “Displaced”) is the song that will be performed by NAPA band, representing Portugal in Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. Portugal finished 21st with 50 points, ranked 19th in jury vote and 21st in public vote.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Portugal’s 57th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Portugal joined the competition in 1964 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2017 when singer Salvador Sobral won first place with the song “Amar pelos dois”.
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Maor Heumann has been writing about the Eurovision Song Contest and following it for over three decades. He has attended five contests and has found something to appreciate in almost every possible musical genre — from the sugary pop entries that finish last in the semi-finals to the quirky avant-garde pieces that even the competition’s juries struggled to connect with. He usually prefers original languages and songs with depth over Swedish-produced English clones — though he doesn’t promise to stick to that rule.
He grew up on the kibbutz of Sara’le Sharon, who instilled in him a love for music and created his first connection to the contest back in 1993 — before most of the current editorial team was even born.
