Erdoğan Rules Out Turkey’s Return to Eurovision Following Controversial Edition
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has dashed any hopes of Turkey rejoining the Eurovision Song Contest. During a press conference following a cabinet meeting, Erdoğan emphasized the correctness of the decision to keep Turkey out of the contest since 2013, labeling the event as a “disgrace.”
Erdoğan’s statements came after initial criticisms from the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Devlet Bahçeli, who attacked the Swiss representative Nemo for his attire and presentation, considering them a sign of the West’s “cultural decay.” Bahçeli stated that Nemo’s participation, featuring a furry jacket, excessive makeup, and a pink satin skirt, was a “shameful degradation.”
Erdoğan’s Reaction
Echoing Bahçeli’s comments, Erdoğan highlighted: “Gender deconstruction policies are one of the most evident areas of global imposition. We witnessed how serious these policies are at the Eurovision contest held last week. It is clear that the strange characters presented to the youth are the Trojan horse of social decay. Everyone acknowledges that this is a deliberate policy. We see how accurate our decision to keep Turkey away from this disgrace over the past 10–12 years has been.”
Erdoğan’s statements have been widely covered by Turkish media, such as ESC Turkey, and have sparked a strong reaction on social media, where there is intense debate over Turkey’s stance on Eurovision.
A Brief History of Turkey in Eurovision
Turkey debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1975 and has participated a total of 34 times. Although its early participations were modest, the country gained popularity in the 2000s, reaching its peak with Sertab Erener’s victory in 2003 with the song “Everyway That I Can.” Since then, Turkey has been known for its vibrant and modern performances.
However, in 2013, Turkey decided to withdraw from the contest, citing disagreements with the voting system and the contest’s rules. Since then, the potential return of Turkey to Eurovision has been a recurring topic among fans and media.
Erdoğan’s recent announcement seems to definitively close the door on any possibility of Turkey returning to the Eurovision stage, at least in the near future.
