A storm is building over Europe as Eurovision unveils sweeping changes to its voting rules after a firestorm over last year s results and accusations of government interference. The contest is trying to restore trust in a setting long pitched as apolitical while facing heated debates about fairness as viewers in Romania and across the bloc watch closely. The European Broadcasting Union says the measures are designed to strengthen trust, transparency and audience engagement and that neutrality and integrity remain paramount for the contest.
The big revamp ahead of the Vienna edition includes several hard edges intended to curb manipulation and boost clarity about who really decides the winner. The changes come as several countries pressed for an audit after Israel topped the public vote this year and finished second after the jury votes were counted. The EBU also postponed a vote on Israel s participation for next year amid ongoing scrutiny from member broadcasters and lawmakers.
What changed and why
- The number of votes per payment method will be reduced to 10, aiming to curb suspicious online voting patterns
- Professional juries will return to the semifinals for the first time since 2022, creating a roughly 50 50 balance between audience and jury votes
- Jurors will increase from five to seven, and all must sign declarations confirming independent and impartial voting
- Jurors aged 18 25 will be added to reflect the appeal of the contest to younger audiences
- Safeguards against suspicious or coordinated voting will be strengthened, with enhanced monitoring and security systems
- Broadly, broadcasters and artists are barred from active third party campaigns that could unduly influence results; sanctions for violations are outlined in the updated Code of Conduct
The reforms come amid a wider debate about Israel s continued participation in Eurovision following actions by its government in Gaza and calls from several countries to audit or even boycott next year s event. Spain and the Netherlands, among others, have flagged concerns and warned they could skip participation if Israel remains on the lineup. The Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS cited alleged interference by the Israeli government as a reason to reconsider participation, while other partners signaled they would reassess and potentially withhold support. The EBU has emphasized that the decision on Israel s participation will be taken at its general assembly on 4 and 5 December, underscoring the contest s ongoing struggle to balance political sensitivities with its aim of global cultural appeal.
Israel has competed in Eurovision for more than 50 years and has won four times, and its continued presence has long sparked debate among European audiences. The move to tighten rules and boost independent judging reflects a broader effort to safeguard the contest s integrity while leaving room for Israel to participate, as the organization weighs public sentiment, member concerns, and the need to keep Eurovision focused on music and entertainment. For audiences across Europe, including Romania, the changes promise a more transparent process and new safeguards against influence operations, even as the political backdrop remains volatile.
