Sweden has no intention to withdraw from Eurovision, as long as certain conditions are met.
In light of the ongoing debate surrounding Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, Swedish broadcaster SVT have said that they have no intentions to withdraw from Eurovision in 2026 if Israel is particiapting; However, they have said that their continued participation in Eurovision is dependent on certain criteria being met.
The CEO of SVT, Anne Lagercrantz, sent an email to Kulturnyheterna, in which she reaffirms that SVT does not, and will not, take a political position with regards to Eurovision and Israel’s participation, and details the conditions which must be met in order for Sweden to continue their Eurovision participation: “SVT’s participation is conditional on the basic conditions being in place. We will therefore spend time listening to the EBU and other member companies.
Many people want to know where SVT stands. SVT is independent – that is one of our cornerstones. We do not take a political position. It is we and no one else who makes the decision about our participation in ESC and the choices we make should not be interpreted as a position for or against any other country’s public service broadcaster or for or against any other country’s participation.”
Three conditions for Sweden's participation
Anne Lagercrantz goes on to highlight the “fundamental conditions” for the contest that must be upheld, in order for Sweden to continue their participation. These conditions include: broad european support for the contest; The safety of participants and spectators must be guaranteed, and the contest must be, as far as possible, apolitical, in accordance with the EBU rules.
When asked about SVT’s different response and approach to Russia’s ban in 2022, (which saw then SVT CEO Hanna Stjärne call on the EBU to exclude Russia from Eurovision 2022) and Israel’s potential exclusion in 2026, Anne Lagercrantz emphasized the fact that Eurovision is a contest for broadcasters, not countries: “Because the Russian public service companies are part of the state. They are part of Putin’s propaganda machine. They are not independent.”
With no plans as of yet to withdraw from Eurovision 2026, preparations are in full swing for Melodifestivalen 2026, which will take place from January 31st to March 7th. SVT revealed earlier this month that they received the highest number of submissions ever – 3,688.
Finnish-Swedish music and comedy group KAJ surprised everyone and beat the odds to come out on top and win Melodifestivalen 2025 with their song “Bara Bada Bastu”. Immediatley asserting themselves as one of the favourites to win Eurovision 2025 in Switzerland, the group eventually finished in 4th place with 321 points.
What do you make of Anne Lagercrantz’s comments regarding Sweden and SVT’s particpation in Eurovision 2026? Do you think there’s any possibly we could see Sweden withdrawing from next years contest? Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments below!
Photo credit: Alma Bengtsson / EBU
