Overview
- The European Broadcasting Union has adopted new rules that bar a winning country from hosting the Eurovision Song Contest if an armed conflict, a sensitive geopolitical situation, or another condition seriously harms safety or stability.
- Under the rules the EBU can commission an independent security assessment of a winner's region and, if the nation is judged unsuitable, designate a different public broadcaster to stage the contest.
- The new policy lists specific disqualifying circumstances that could stop an automatic handover of hosting duties, changing the long-standing practice that the winning broadcaster always organizes the next show.
- The EBU also raised the minimum competitor age from 16 to 18 and clarified that lead vocals must be performed live to protect young performers and preserve performance integrity.
- Practically, the rules take effect as Bulgaria prepares to host after Dara's win and revive questions about whether Israel would have been eligible to host after finishing second, while the changes concentrate safety and welfare decisions with the EBU.