The Swedish city of Malmo, which will host this year’s Eurovisionis expecting visitors from 80 countries for the song contest, but is also preparing for possible riotscity officials said today.

Eurovision is presented as a non-politicized event, however, the global political situation cannot be ignored many times.

This year, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU)which organizes the contest, has resisted calls to boycott Israel because of its attack on Gaza.

“At the moment, according to the information we have from our partners, there is no immediate threat to Eurovision” said Malmo Security Director Per-Erik Ebstal at a press conference, noting however: “Given the situation, things may change».

The conflict over the war in the Gaza Strip has affected several political events, with the organizing authority, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), resisting demands from artists and activists that Israel not participate in the annual European song contest to be held on 7 – May 11.

Israel agreed earlier this month to change the lyrics to the song it is likely to send to the contest after the EBU took issue with the use of lyrics that appeared to refer to the October 7 attack by Hamas.

The mayor of the Swedish city, Katrin Sternfeld Jammeh, stressed that while many people will visit the city for the pageant and related festivities, many will also want to hold demonstrations and express political views in relation to the event.

“We support the right of all people to express their democratic views. However, there is also always the risk that some may use this right for less peaceful purposes or to cause a disturbance…“, he said at the press conference.

“I have great confidence in the police’s ability to work to keep the city safe even when so many different people come to visit.“, he added.