The 95th EBU General Assembly started today, with several topics on the agenda. One of them was the Eurovision Song Contest, and the approval of new rules presented last month, to reassure broadcasters and reinforce the safety credibility of the Contest. They were approved by a large majority, which also meant that no vote was held on who could take part in the Contest, meaning Israel will remain, with several broadcasters boycotting the event in response.
A vote on the new rules, and no vote on Israel
The new rules, which would, among other things, forbid disproportionate promotion of artists by government bodies, reinforce the security of the voting, limit the number of individual public votes, and reinstate a jury vote in the semi-finals, were meant to reassure broadcasters that expressed concerns after the 2024 and 2025 Contests, including those in favour of excluding Israel from Eurovision.
The rules were approved by the Eurovision Reference Group, and the EBU presented them to the General Assembly, asking members whether they were enough to reassure them or if a vote on the issue of participation in the Contest was needed. According to several sources, eight broadcasters asked for a secret vote on the rules, when only five were needed for a vote to take place. According to Slovenia’s RTV SLO, these were broadcasters from Spain, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Turkey, Algeria, Slovenia and Iceland (EBU members not taking part in Eurovision also took part in the General Assembly).
Members voted on the new rules themselves: a vote in favour meant that the voter was “sufficiently content with the new measures and safeguards […]” and that it saw no need to hold a vote on participation.
The EBU and several broadcasters confirmed that the motion had passed by a “large” majority, meaning no further vote was held on participation, with Israel remaining in the contest. RTV SLO and RTVE stated that eleven countries voted to decide on the participation of the members, and five abstained, with the rest voting in favour of the motion (and thus against holding another vote).
Broadcasters withdrawing as a consequence
Several broadcasters threatened to not take part in Eurovision if Israel was allowed to participate in Eurovision 2026. Some of them have already confirmed their withdrawal or non-participation:
As for RÚV (Iceland) and RTBF (Belgium), they are expected to take a decision in the coming days, having announced that they would wait for the decisions of the General Assembly before making any formal move in one way or another.
Other broadcasters, such as RTP from Portugal, YLE from Finland or NRK from Norway, have instead confirmed that they will be present in Vienna.
The EBU praises “meaningful changes”
The EBU released their own statement, indicating that members showed “clear support for reforms to reinforce trust and protect the neutrality” of the Contest. They confirmed the vote on the new rules, which would allow “all members” to participate.
They also confirmed that different views on participation were shared by members ahead of the vote. It is understood that some broadcasters showed support for the rules and for Israel’s presence, while others were much more critical. RTV SLO’s representative at the Assembly, Natalija Gorščak, had very strong words against the politicisation of the contest caused by Israel’s presence.
The president of the EBU, Delphine Ernotte-Cunci, made the following statement:
The result of this vote demonstrates our Members’ shared commitment to protecting transparency and trust in the Eurovision Song Contest, the world’s largest live music event.
Delphine Ernotte-Cunci, EBU President
I would like to thank all Members for their thoughtful, respectful and constructive contributions during today’s session and throughout the extensive consultation process undertaken this year.
These discussions have led to meaningful changes to the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest, ensuring it remains a place for unity and cultural exchange.
This is a major day for the Contest, as major countries are withdrawing, including a member of the Big Five. How do you feel about the whole situation? Does this change your plans regarding Eurovision 2026? Tell us more in the comments below, but remember to remain civil.
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