While avid Eurovision fans have been counting down the days to Saturday's final, Europe's "biggest party" was drawing criticism. Can organisers succeed in keeping politics off the stage?
ADVERTISEMENT
Euronews' Eurovision aficionado Gerardo Fortuna, who has interviewed the show's new top chief and several contestants, spoke with Radio Schuman about this year's controversies and how organisers are working to ensure Eurovision doesn't become a political competition.
He delved into "flaggate", this year's favourites to win and why non-European countries participate.
We also head to the Albanian capital where more than 40 country leaders will convene for the sixth Summit of the European Political Community (EPC), likened to a high-level, continent-wide political brainstorming event. And finally, where in Europe do people pay the most to have a roof over their heads?
This episode of Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Lauren Walker. Audio editing by David Brodheim. Music by Alexandre Jas.