Ana María Bordas begins her leadership of the Reference Group this month, as the new Chair takes the reins during a crucial moment for the Eurovision Song Contest.
Ana María Bordas begins Reference Group role
Following her election in March, Spain’s Ana María Bordas has now taken up her two-year term as Chair of the Eurovision Reference Group, the Contest’s top supervisory body. She replaces Switzerland’s Bakel Walden, who steps down as his mandate at SRG SSR comes to an end.
Alongside her roles as Head of Delegation for Spain at both Eurovision Song Contest and Junior Eurovision, Bordas also holds the title of Director of Original Content Production at RTVE. She has shaped recent national-final efforts such as Benidorm Fest and served as Executive Producer for Junior Eurovision 2024 in Madrid
“I hope the new Reference Group will work as a united team in favour of all participating members, to strengthen and elevate the Eurovision Song Contest” said Bordas.
She added that she aims to “develop actions that strengthen the Eurovision brand and ensure that all delegations feel more involved and engaged with our work.”
Who else was elected back in April?
The Eurovision Reference Group is the Contest’s top decision-making body. Created by the EBU’s Television Committee, the group approves changes to the show’s format, oversees its funding, and collaborates with host broadcasters each year. It typically meets four to five times per season.
The current Reference Group, confirmed through to 2027, includes the following members:
During the EBU Television Committee meeting in Brussels on 20 March, substitutions were also made for the three Head of Delegation seats on the Reference Group. Those elected alongside Bordas were:
- 🇵🇹 Carla Bugalho (RTP, Portugal)
- 🇳🇱 Claudia Van Der Pas (AVROTROS, Netherlands)
- 🇩🇰 Molly Plank (DR, Denmark)
Their appointment, along with Bordas’, reflects a significant tilt towards Western European representation within the Group. The Reference Group, which meets four to five times annually, holds authority over all major decisions regarding format changes, financing, and host relations.
What are your thoughts on Spain’s growing influence behind the scenes at Eurovision? Will Bordas steer the Contest in a fresh direction? Let us know in the comments below. Don’t forget to follow That Eurovision Site on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads, Tumblr and Bluesky as we gear up for Eurovision 2026!
News Source: Press / RTVE
Photo Credit: RTVE
Giwrgos Oiko