As the fallout of the General Assembly continues, over half of the acts competing in Festival da Canção 2026 have said that they will not represent Portugal at Eurovision if they win.
Festival da Canção 2026 artists taking a stand
In a statement, released jointly on their own Instagram pages, 17 acts confirmed they would not be comfortable representing Portugal at Eurovision if they win Festival da Canção 2026. The statement reads:
We say to the public, together, in a concerted position current authors and future singers, our refusal to participate at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in case we become representatives of the winning song Festival da Canção in March next year. We understand that the country and the world live in momets where silence makes us complicity in tragedy. With words and with songs, we act in the possibilities given to us. We do not condone the violation of human rights. And we resist with culture, with Portuguese culture.
Long live music. It’s why we’re here.
On top of this, a petition calling on RTP to withdraw from next year’s Contest has, at the time of writing, collected about 25,000 signatures. The petition says that as RTP is paid for by taxpayers, they should have a say in whether the broadcaster takes part or not.
RTP’s response
In a response to the threat of boycott, RTP reaffirmed its position and confirmed that Portugal will still go to Eurovision in Vienna, despite the stance from artists. A statement read:
Regardless of the decision of the artists who subscribe to the statement, RTP will once again organise Festival da Canção and reaffirms its participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
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 make of the artists’ boycott? Will the winner of Festival da Canção 2026 actually go to Eurovision? 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: Instagram / RTP
Photo Credit: RTP
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