Organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest are considering major rule changes to discourage mass voting campaigns that target and influence the competition’s results, according to reports from the BBC. Under current guidelines, viewers can submit up to 10 votes for a favorite act via phone, text message, or online platforms. In a recent letter sent to participating broadcasters, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) suggested shifting the voting process entirely online and requiring the public to select a top three instead of casting multiple votes for a single contestant.
Why the European Broadcasting Union is Reassessing Eurovision Voting Rules
The EBU stated that politically motivated voting has become persistent and is viewed by many as deeply worrying. Voting regulations have faced intense scrutiny since the Israeli government encouraged fans to register multiple votes for its contestant during the 2025 competition. Yuval Raphael’s song, “New Day Will Rise,” placed 15th with the contest’s professional juries but dominated the public vote by securing 297 points, ultimately finishing as the overall runner-up.
Following the event, several broadcasters questioned how Israel achieved such a high placement. Critics highlighted that official social media accounts linked to Israel’s government, including the profile of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urged supporters to cast the maximum allowed 20 votes for Raphael.
Impact on Broadcasters and Future Contest Neutrality
A planned vote regarding Israel’s participation in the contest was scheduled for November but was later cancelled by the EBU due to recent developments in the Middle East, including the ceasefire in Gaza. At the time, organisers announced that Israel’s participation would instead be addressed during an in-person meeting in December.
Speaking on the upcoming adjustments, the EBU emphasised that broadcasters and their artists participate in the event rather than governments, making it essential to keep geopolitics off the stage. Austrian national broadcaster ORF, scheduled to host the 2026 contest in Vienna, has actively urged countries not to boycott the upcoming event.
When asked if the vote would still be happening, Martin Green stated that organisers hope the new package of measures will provide participating members with the reassurance necessary to keep Eurovision a neutral and impartial space. While Israel secured second place in the May contest following a high public vote, the addition of jury points ultimately led to Austria’s representative, JJ, winning the competition with the song “Wasted Love.”