Overview
- At a closed General Assembly in Geneva, the European Broadcasting Union adopted rule changes and decided no separate vote on Israel was necessary, enabling Israel’s entry in Vienna.
- Spain’s RTVE, the Netherlands’ AVROTROS and Ireland’s RTÉ said they will not participate in protest, with Spain’s exit notable given its Big Five funding role.
- The reforms restore professional juries in the semi-finals, reduce the weight of public voting and tighten restrictions on promotional or advertising campaigns to bolster neutrality and trust.
- Host broadcaster ORF and Vienna’s mayor criticized the boycotts and welcomed Israel’s participation, while Germany and other supporters argued for cultural inclusion.
- Other broadcasters have signaled possible withdrawals, and the EBU plans to publish the final list of participants before year-end, leaving the contest’s size and finances uncertain.