The Eurovision Song Contest is considering significant rule changes to address concerns over politically motivated voting. Organizers are proposing a shift to an entirely online voting system where the public would select their top three acts, rather than being able to cast multiple votes for a single contestant.
In a letter sent to participating broadcasters, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) reportedly suggested these alterations in response to what they describe as "persistent" and "deeply worrying" voting campaigns aimed at influencing the contest's results. The current system allows viewers to vote up to 10 times via phone, text message, or online.
The scrutiny on voting rules intensified following the 2025 contest, where Israel's contestant, Yuval Raphael, saw a substantial public vote that propelled the song "New Day Will Rise" to runner-up status, despite placing lower with the professional juries. Official government social media accounts, including those linked to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, had reportedly encouraged multiple votes for Raphael.
These actions led to queries from several broadcasters regarding the unprecedented public vote performance. The EBU has acknowledged that politically motivated voting has become a significant issue, prompting the review of current regulations.