A petition calling for RTP – the national broadcaster of Portugal – to withdaw from Eurovision 2026 has already passed 20,000 signatures.
Petition calling for “correction of error”
The petition, which is addressed to RTP’s Board of Directors and the Portuguese Culture Minister, calls for Portugal to withdraw from the competition. It comes after RTP confirmed it would be participating in the wake of the General Assembly’s vote on December 4th.
Writing directly to those involved, the petition says that as RTP is funded by taxpayers, Portuguese viewers should have a say in whether they take part in the competition. They also believe that by including Israel, the Contest is now being instrumentalised as a form of “war propoaganda”, using the televote as a means to do so.
The official petition says of its demands:
Given the gravity of the humanitarian situation, the proven manipulation of the results as a propaganda tool, and the shameful position of support shown by the Portuguese vote, we demand that RTP announce Portugal’s non-participation in Eurovision 2026.
Portugal must correct the error of its vote and join the bloc of countries, such as Spain, that refuse to whitewash the situation. It is imperative to defend the dignity of national artists, respect for International Law, and the very origins of the festival. Created in 1956 to promote peace and unity among peoples in a post-war period, Eurovision cannot serve as a stage to normalize war.
Other forms of protest
The petition is not the only form of protest that dissatisfied Portuguese citizens have had following the vote. On Saturday (December 6th), unions representing RTP workers also called for the broadcaster to step back from the competition in May. This is now another reason the workers are set to walk out in connection with a general strike on Thursday (December 11th).
As well as this, former winner Salvador Sobral has also criticised RTP for its decision to continue in the competition. He added:
RTP, the state channel, has decided to participate in Eurovision even with Israel’s participation. The expression ‘giving one to the nail and another horseshoe’ [a Portuguese phrase referring to hedging bets] has never been more true than last night. National television broadcasts a concert from Gaza and at the same time is afraid to do the right thing.
This is political cowardice, (…) consistent with the institutional cowardice of public institutions. It saddens me because it’s simply a human issue, and the decision that needs to be made is obvious.
Salvador is not the only former winner to speak out on the result. He added that Festival da Canção could continue – but would offer a different prize in lieu of going to Eurovision. RTP has not commented on the situation.
Portugal’s Eurovision journey
Portugal debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest with António Calvário’s “Oração” in 1964. Since then, Portugal has participated in the competition 55 times – appearing the final 46 times. Their only win in the competition came in 2017 with Salvador Sobral, performing his heart-wrenching song “Amar Pelos Dois”.
Portugal’s most recent participation was with NAPA with the song “Deslocado”. The band managed to qualify for the Grand Final and once there, they finished in 21st place. They received a total of 50 points, of which 37 points came from the jury and 13 points came the televote.
What do you think of Portugal’s petition to withdraw? Do you think RTP will listen? As always, please let us know what you think by getting involved in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads, tumblr, and Bluesky for more information about Eurovision 2026!
News Source: Petição Pública / SIC
Photo Credit: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU
Euan T