The Eurovision Music Contest is implementing new guidelines round its voting system after uproar round Israel’s lead to Might.
When entrant Yuval Raphael sang “New Day Will Rise” on the competitors held in Basel, Switzerland, she swiftly topped the general public voting charts and later positioned second to Austria when the jury scores had been counted.
However some counties, together with broadcasters in Eire, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Iceland and Finland, raised considerations in regards to the public vote and requested an audit. Organizers of the competition on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) mentioned the vote was checked and verified.
Now, the music contest has restructured its voting and promotion guidelines forward of subsequent yr’s version in Vienna, Austria. “We’ve listened and we’ve acted,” mentioned Eurovision director Martin Inexperienced. “The neutrality and integrity of the Eurovision Music Contest is of paramount significance to the EBU, its members, and all our audiences. It’s important that the equity of the Contest is at all times protected.”
It comes as the competition — in most years thought-about a joyous, eccentric celebration of the world’s music — has turned bitter by means of the previous couple of editions as more and more polarizing geopolitics loom over the present.
Many international locations and members have objected to Israel’s participating over the battle in Gaza. Eire, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain are amongst people who have threatened to boycott 2026’s contest except Israel is excluded.
Eurovision organizers had vowed to speak to all of its members and maintain a vote on Israel’s participation in November. It’s unclear if the next rule modifications are meant to appease the widespread outrage.
Followers will now solely be capable to forged 10 votes every — down from 20 — and juries will return for the semi-finals for the primary time since 2022, making a 50-50 cut up vote between jury and viewers votes on the remaining. All jurors, the variety of which has been elevated to seven from 5, might be compelled to signal a proper declaration confirming they may vote independently and impartially. Jurors aged 18-25 might be added to “replicate the attraction” of the competition with youthful audiences.
The EBU can be barring its collaborating broadcasters and artists from “actively” partaking in, facilitating or contributing to promotional campaigns by third events “that would affect the voting final result and, as outlined within the up to date Code of Conduct, any makes an attempt to unduly affect the outcomes will result in sanctions.” Reviews on the time mentioned Israeli authorities company paid for advertisements and used state social media accounts to induce audiences to vote for Raphael, in accordance to the BBC.
“These measures are designed to maintain the main target the place it belongs — on music, creativity and connection,” mentioned Inexperienced. “Whereas we’re assured the 2025 Contest delivered a sound and strong end result, these modifications will assist present stronger safeguards and enhance engagement so followers can make sure that each vote counts and each voice is heard.”
“The Eurovision Music Contest should at all times stay a spot the place music takes centre stage — and the place we proceed to face actually United by Music,” he added.
The 2026 Eurovision Music Contest Grand Last will happen on Saturday, Might 16.