Spanish Prime Minister backs Eurovision song 'whore' amid feminist backlash

Nebulossa perform at the Eurovision Gala Final in Benidorm, where their song Zorra won the right to become the song of Spain. Photo: JOAQUIN P. REINA/EUROPA PRESS

Pedro Sánchez, Spain's prime minister, has defended the country's Eurovision performance after feminists called for it not to be shown on television because of its «anti-women» lyrics.

< p >The song Zorra, which literally means «fox» but is commonly used to mean «whore» or «bitch», is about a mature woman celebrating her freedom by calling herself a «total slut».

The husband chooses the song. Wife-and-wife duo Maria Bas and Mark Dasouza, known together as Nebulossa, are intended as a commentary on misogyny in society, highlighting the double standards women face.

But it has divided feminists, with some arguing that the word «zorra» is a sexist insult against women, while others say it is a rejection of the language of patriarchy.

Mr Sanchez defended the Eurovision song, which became an instant success in Spain and has been played millions of times on YouTube as a necessary provocation that challenges sexist stereotypes.

“Feminism is not only fair, it can be fun. . Culture is created in order to create this kind of provocation,” he said in the Al Rojo Vivo program on La Sexta TV channel.

Pedro Sánchez, Prime Minister of Spain, said: “Feminism is not only fair, it can be fun. Culture was created in order to create this kind of provocation' Photo: STEFAN WERMUT/BLOOMBERG

He said criticism of the song came from the right-wing «fachosphere» and suggested that critics would sympathize with the Spanish Falangist movement, which supported the late General Franco.

Others disagreed. The song «offends women on the basis of their gender,» the Feminist Movement of Madrid said, adding that it was absurd to claim that simply repeating the word «zorra» could empower women.

According to another feminist movement, the Alliance Against Female Erasure, the word is commonly used by violent men when they attack women.

The association said the song «promotes content that encourages and reinforces deeply sexist messages and stereotypes,» claiming that Spain's public broadcaster RTVE breached its commitments to combat gender-based violence by airing the song.

Translated into English, Zorra's lyrics read: «If I go out alone, I'm a whore.» /If I'm having fun, I'm the sluttiest /When I get what I want — bitch, bitch/It's never because I deserve it.»

The song became a viral success in Spain and was received by fans as a response to the misogyny and double standards faced by women seeking happiness and freedom.

“This song breaks stereotypes and stereotypes and has received massive approval, so there is nothing to say, he will represent us and I wish him every possible success,” said Ana Redondo García, minister of equality in Mr Sánchez’s left-wing government.