The Eurovision 2026 season officially kicked off on 1 September, but this year has been less about announcing artists or upcoming national finals and more about broadcasters announcing whether or not they intend to participate in Vienna next May amidst Israel’s presence at the event.
One of these broadcasters is Denmark’s DR, who initially stated they would follow the EBU’s decision on the matter. Now, the senior editor of DR Culture, Debate and Music — Gustav Lützhøft — has elaborated DR’s view in an interview with the broadcaster’s independent news desk.
“We are participating in Eurovision”
“We have chosen to say clearly and distinctly that we are participating in Eurovision.”
There is a catch, though.
If Denmark is to participate at Eurovision 2026 in the Austrian capital Vienna next year, it depends on three conditions, emphasises the senior editor:
- Broad European community around the competition
- Security must be in place
- Eurovision must be, as far as possible, an apolitical event free from political interference
“If these three conditions are met, DR will participate as usual.”
Lützhøft was asked whether DR would reconsider its participation if several countries withdraw and the strong international community is uncertain. He responded:
“We are in the competition with the condition that there is broad support from other European countries. And it is clear that if at some point we find ourselves in a situation where this is no longer the case, it will also have an impact on DR’s participation.
“If something changes significantly within one of the three things, it is clear that we will have to reconsider our participation, but for now it is important to state that we intend to stay in Eurovision.”
DR is concerned with “supporting democracy”
How does DR respond to critics who believe that remaining in the competition can be interpreted as tacit acceptance of Israel’s actions in Gaza? Lützhøft elaborated:
“DR’s participation in Eurovision is not a support for any single country. It is a support for a cross-cultural community across Europe, which has existed for many, many years.
“What DR is concerned with is supporting democracy and cohesion in society, and we think Eurovision is a really, really good place to do that among all the other initiatives and measures we have. So that’s why we’re participating.”
The senior editor also believes that “the broad communities” as such are under pressure.
That’s why a song contest like Eurovision is important right now, he says:
“There are many things that divide us, and we want to make it clear that we want that unity. That is why we are saying loud and clear that we are in the competition.”
Does he think Eurovision as it is now is apolitical?
“There have always been political disputes around Eurovision. Just as there have been political disputes around all sorts of other cultural events, the World Cup in sports and so on.
“It’s so tense at the moment that it’s something we’ll have to keep an eye on. When will it stop being a cultural event, and when will it become a purely political event? And if it does (the latter), I can’t see myself in it.”
DMGP 2026
Denmark will find it’s Eurovision participant at Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2026, which will be held in Arena Nord in Frederikshavn on 14 February 2026. Eight songs will participate in the Danish national final, and the songs and artists will be revealed in mid-January 2026.
He basically said nothing! Neutral on genocide
Im proud of my country
Off-topic, thank you to William for being quoted in the France 24 analysis article about Intervision & ESC. It is really fascinating to put into perspective how we all got here.
The statement is singing ESC Denmark 2019, with a twist.
Why we make it tough? The world has had enough. Don’t get too political.
And who are we to judge? It doesn’t take too much. Only just a miracle.
ESC is forever. It is forever and everyone.
Except for conditions. It is forever and everyone.
Just a taste of songs. A taste of votes that actually rule both me and you.
A taste of peace is all we got.
So don’t you never ever give up hope.
Part of me wonders if some countries are happy to let others do the dirty work of deciding to withdraw, forcing the EBU’s hand meanwhile they themselves look like obedient little boys and girls not rocking the boat and ploughing on with their selection processes.
For those who say politics has no place in a song contest, take your heads out of the sand, politics has always been a part of ESC, like it or not. What’s going on in Gaza is too terrible not to take a stand on.
We should not wait till December. I want Belgium, Portugal , Finland , … to say NO.
let’s put some pressure and others might follow !
Huge nothingburger from Denmark
“Political dispute” is such a horrible dismissal of what’s happening there.
What is this s***?
Almost ad ridiculous as “neutral flag”.
Grow some balls, DK, or shut up.
Weak.
Statement is still a statement, so it’s better than nothing.
Denmark you can do better than this…
This is still better than Italy, which is licking the Israeli ass.
That statement is all very weak with very little substance.
I think it’s actually quite comprehensive. DR will participate as long as the contest take place with a reasonable number of participants and in line with normal requirements. What more could they add?
Well, That’s how you say a lot without actually saying anything. If non- statements was a sport this would be the winner..
No actual words on whether or not a certain country’s action is politizing the event or if it affects the community..
At least Norway was much more clear!
Void statement. They don’t say anything at all. Does it imply it has been a political event in the last years? If so, can you set some examples? What happens if any of these happen again?
Well yeah, I agree but is this enough to push EBU to work on the situation? We’ll see
The ‘Supporting Democracy’ arguement is ironic because for decades it didn’t bother Denmark and other Western European nations that non-democratic Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Yugoslavia back during the 70’s, mid 80’s and much later took part and some even hosted. When Greece joined in 1974 it was still under military dictatorship. KAN should be disqualified for playing along with the israeli government advertising agency orchestrating the Google ad campaign and YouTube channel with Yuval Raphael’s active involvement in that project. KAN is totally complicit in this and only for that, regardless of all the obvious reasons that should have Israel… Read more »
Yugoslavia was actually much more democratic than you think. Much more Western oriented. More freedom than any of those countries at the time.
I realize that but it still was a one party socialist-communist regime. Regarding Israel, back in May I underestimated the meddling of the Israeli government in running such a targeted campaign to win votes nor did I realize KAN collaborated with the government by permitting Raphael to record 14 videos directed at 14 different nations in their native languages. I’m disgusted with KAN and for the life of me I don’t get how the EBU is so blind to its deceit, not to mention its one-sided coverage of Gaza.
That was 50 years ago.
I totally agree with Denmark it shouldn’t be about politics it is about music put I do agree there is a double standard with ( Russia Belarus and Israel )
My read is that they won’t participate if Israel is in, as that would make 2 of their conditions impossible to meet. There is clearly no “broad community around the competition” when at least 4 countries (incl. a Big 5) are considering a boycott, and Israel’s participation has created the most politically-charged contests in history.
Wishful thinking. 4 countries out of 40 aren’t a massive reduction of competing entries DR is refering to.
As for the political issues, they are not created by Israel. They came and performed their song. It was countries like Spain etc that kept throwing tantrums and cause the drama. If they indeed leave as they promised, we can go back to having a normal contest.
Kinda strange to keep hoping for withdrawal threats for a contest I’ll attend. I do want all of Europe here, of course, but first the contest needs to save itself. And frankly, Azerbaijan should be long gone too. They stole a victory. Truthfully, the contest has been in disrepute forever since the EBU’s supervision of the televote can’t be trusted, only now it’s so egregious that it got impossible to ignore.
That’s a nothingburger, much like Denmark’s Eurovision songs. I know Yes was their best song in the last 15 years, but this is the one time to not say yes. If it goes on like this, it might encourage the EBU to keep destroying the contest. I would reckon they need to act with Spain being out but when it’s yes after yes now, will that really be enough?
What does that even mean?
I know you don’t wanna upset your paymasters Europe but ffs get a grip. You really can’t be diplomatic anymore. Israel crossed a line we’re neutrality and diplomacy isn’t cutting it.
Denmark’s announcement means actually nothing if you read between the lines, there’s literally nothing of substance in that statement
I swear, they took inspiration from every song they ever sent.
That wasn’t enlightening at all, DR. Thanks. I guess.