The Eurovision Song Contest is implementing significant changes to its voting system following serious allegations of governmental interference during this year's competition, particularly involving Israel's participation.
Allegations Spark Voting Overhaul
Contest organisers have confirmed sweeping reforms after multiple broadcasters raised concerns about potential manipulation in the 2025 contest. The controversy emerged after Israeli singer Yuval Raphael received the highest number of public votes during May's competition, ultimately finishing as runner-up once jury votes were counted.
Several national broadcasters expressed alarm about Israel's result, with Ireland's RTE requesting a detailed breakdown of voting numbers from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Spain's public broadcaster RTVE went further, demanding a comprehensive review of the entire voting system to prevent what it termed "external interference".
The situation escalated in September when Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS stated it could no longer justify Israel's participation due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. The broadcaster made the explosive claim that there had been "proven interference by the Israeli government during the last edition of the Song Contest", alleging the event was being used as a "political instrument".
Key Changes for Eurovision 2026
The EBU has outlined several crucial modifications designed to protect the contest's integrity. These include clearer regulations governing artist promotion, reduced audience voting limits, the reinstatement of professional juries in semi-finals, and enhanced security measures.
Contest director Martin Green emphasised that the reduction from 20 to 10 votes per person via online, SMS or phone methods was specifically "designed to encourage more balanced participation". While acknowledging that previous voting limits hadn't unduly influenced outcomes, Green noted concerns from both broadcasters and fans prompted the change.
The EBU has also tightened rules around promotional campaigns, explicitly stating that such efforts should not be "disproportionate", particularly when supported by third parties including governments or governmental agencies. The organisation warned that "any attempts to unduly influence the results will lead to sanctions".
Political Pressures Mount
Green stressed that maintaining the competition's neutrality remains "paramount importance" to the EBU, its members, and global audiences. He declared that Eurovision "should remain a neutral space and must not be instrumentalised" for political purposes.
The voting reforms come against a backdrop of increasing political tension surrounding the contest. In September, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia threatened to withdraw from future Eurovision events unless Israel is excluded from participation. Demonstrations against Israel's inclusion also occurred during the 2025 competition in Basel, Switzerland.
This political dimension echoes previous controversies, notably Russia's exclusion from the 2022 contest following its invasion of Ukraine. Israel has participated in Eurovision for over five decades, winning four times, but faces ongoing calls for exclusion due to its government's conduct in the Hamas-Israel conflict.
The EBU's winter general assembly in early December will formally consider these changes, with members retaining the option to vote on Israel's continued participation if unsatisfied with the proposed reforms.
Iceland's broadcaster RUV described the announced changes as "a step in the right direction", while Ireland's RTE noted that Middle Eastern developments continue to unfold daily, with Israel's participation formally included on the EBU Executive Board's agenda for their December meeting.
The world's largest live music event will celebrate its 70th anniversary when it returns to Vienna, Austria in May 2026, with organisers hoping these reforms will restore confidence in the competition's voting integrity.
