Eurovision Tightens Contest Rules
The Eurovision Song Contest is changing its voting system. This decision follows serious allegations of “interference.” These claims concerned the Israeli government’s conduct this year. Several countries asked for an audit. This occurred after Israel topped the public vote in May. Consequently, Israel finished second after the jury votes were added.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) manages the event. Therefore, the EBU announced several major changes. These new measures will be effective next year in Vienna. The goal is to strengthen trust and transparency. They also aim to enhance audience engagement.
Key Reforms to Eurovision Voting Rules
The most significant change is the capping of audience voting. The maximum number of votes per viewer will be halved. Specifically, the limit is now 10 votes per payment method instead of 20. This is designed to encourage balanced participation. Fans are now encouraged to spread their support.
Eurovision voting rules will also see the return of professional juries. Juries will be back in the Semi-Finals. This has not happened since 2022. This change brings a 50/50 split. The weight between audience and jury votes will be roughly equal. This shift ensures high-quality entries are recognized. It balances artistic merit with popular appeal.
New Stance on Promotional Campaigns
Clearer rules around artist promotion are a priority. The EBU wants to discourage “disproportionate promotion campaigns.” This particularly applies to campaigns by third parties. These include governments or governmental agencies. Furthermore, any attempts to unfairly influence results will lead to sanctions.
The new Eurovision voting rules strictly forbid direct engagement. Neither the broadcaster nor the artist can actively support third-party campaigns. Eurovision director Martin Green affirmed the EBU’s position. He stated, “The neutrality and integrity of the Contest is of paramount importance.” He added that the event “should remain a neutral space.”
Protecting the Integrity of the Contest
Organisers will enhance security safeguards. These systems will monitor and prevent fraud. They will detect any suspicious or coordinated voting activity. The EBU hopes these changes address member concerns. Eurovision voting rules must protect the contest’s fairness.
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