Eurovision 2027

Eurovision ousts Dutch delegation chief

European Broadcasting Union removes Claudia van der Pas from steering group, citing rule that members must lead active delegations, even as Netherlands prepares to rejoin contest

Gila Isaacson

OCT 4, 2026 14:50

2 min read

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The European Broadcasting Union has removed the head of the Dutch delegation, Claudia van der Pas, from the Eurovision steering group with immediate effect, the EBU confirmed to Dutch news agency ANP.

The move comes despite the Netherlands' planned return to the contest in 2027. The country withdrew from last year's competition after Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS pulled out in December. At the time, the EBU granted van der Pas a special exemption to continue her two-year term on the steering group. That exemption expired at the end of the summer, and the EBU has now declined to extend it.

An EBU spokesperson explained the decision: "Claudia was elected as a representative of the heads of delegations. However, these seats are intended for heads of delegations who are actively performing their role."

The ruling has raised questions across the industry, as the chair of the steering group, Anna María Bordas of Spain's RTVE, will continue in her post until June 2027, even though Spain also sat out the most recent contest. The EBU clarified that Bordas will serve out her full term as chair.

The decision arrives amid sweeping structural changes the EBU is implementing. As part of a broader reorganization, a new committee is being formed that will replace the steering group in the summer of 2027 and consolidate more authority among member broadcasters. Though the Netherlands is expected to return to the contest in 2027, the country's standing in the new structure remains unclear.