Germany Eurovision 2018 selection to be more international

Germany have outlined details of their new method of selecting their Eurovision 2018 entry. As well as the German public, an international jury and 100-strong international panel will help decide Germany’s song for Lisbon. 
The 100 person international panel are to represent a range of international music tastes. They will be chosen by surveying approximately ten thousand people via social networks. The panel will be involved in the selection of finalists as well as the final vote.
The international jury will consist of 20 to 25 people, made up of people with experience as jury members at the Eurovision Song Contest. They will be awarding points at the German selection much like at Eurovision.

“Radical new beginning”

Thomas Schreiber, ARD Coordinator for Entertainment, hopes to make the 2018 selection more inclusive of international music tastes.
“In recent months, we have had a lot of intensive talks, put everything to the test, and gained external advice and criticism. Our goal is a radical new beginning, with nothing remaining as it has been in recent years”

Applications open for candidates

Applications for the Germany selection are open until 6th November at noon. The international panel will elect twenty possible participants in the preliminary selection. NDR will then assess the twenty candidates and along with the international panel and jury will select a final five candidates.
NDR will announce further details of the selection process and the live televised final at a later date.

What do you think of Germany’s new approach to their national selection? Do you think they can reverse their recent low scores at Eurovision? Who should represent Germany? Let us know in the comments or on social media @escXtra