"Concerns". MEPs ask for data on Eurovision votes

A group of 12 MEPs has urged the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to release full data on the results of the Eurovision Song Contest voting, citing "growing concerns about irregularities" in this year's voting, particularly differences between the jury's vote and the public vote - which gave Israel full points.

In a letter sent to the EBU, seen by Euronews, MEPs from socialist, leftist, green and liberal groups highlighted "renewed concern over growing concerns about irregularities related to the 2025 competition".

"Although the Eurovision Song Contest aims to unite Europe through music and culture, recent developments have cast a shadow over its credibility and neutrality," said Slovenian MEP Matjaž Nemec.

The appeal came after state broadcasters in the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Slovenia, Iceland, Belgium and Finland questioned the voting results.

The Israeli performance received only 60 points from the professional jury, placing it in 15th place, but also received 297 points from the popular vote, which represents 50% of the weighting in the final result. All things considered, it ended up in 2nd place, behind Austria.

In their complaints, the broadcasters cited suspicions of manipulation of the televote and questioned the fact that participation was being promoted by the Israeli Government Advertising Agency (Lapam).

Belgium's Dutch-language public broadcaster VRT has demanded "full transparency" from the Eurovision Song Contest's organisers regarding the voting system and rules, and has questioned the broadcaster's participation in future editions of the contest, while Spain's RTVE has called for an audit of the televoting and Iceland's RTÉ has ​​asked for access to the voting data.

From criticism of the participation to the 12 points from the public for Israel's song. Find out more about the controversy that is dividing Spain (and not only) and Eurovision.

News to the Minute with Lusa | 23:59 - 21/05/2025

In the letter, MEPs also called on the EBU to take action on "growing concerns", including releasing full voting data, authorising an independent audit and implementing safeguards to prevent political interference in the contest.

"Without answers and accountability, Eurovision risks losing the trust of its audience and becoming a stage not for unity but for manipulation," warned MEP Nemec.

It should be noted that Israel was close to beating Austria in the Eurovision final, which it won in the final moments, amid controversies linked to the serious humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Austria, with JJ and 'Wasted Love', received a total of 436 points: 258 points from the jury and 178 points from the public. Israel, with Yuval Raphael and 'New Day Will Rise', scored 357, distributed among 60 from the jury and 297 from the public.

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