Wave of Withdrawals Hits Eurovision 2026 After EBU General Assembly

A majority vote was reached in favour of recent rule changes implemented by the EBU

EBU Rule Shake-Up Gets the Green Light in Majority

On Thursday, 4 December 2025, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) held a General Assembly at its headquarters in Geneva. Broadcasters in attendance were required to review and vote on a series of newly introduced voting rule changes, first announced by the EBU on 21 November.

The new measures included:

1. Public Voting Limit Reduced

The number of votes each viewer can cast has been reduced from 20 to 10. The EBU stated this change is intended to encourage fans to distribute their support across multiple entries.

2. Stricter Controls on Third-Party Promotion

The EBU confirmed it is strengthening the Voting Instructions and Code of Conduct to prevent attempts to unfairly influence the outcome of the contest. While promotion of artists and songs remains encouraged, “disproportionate promotional campaigns”, particularly those supported by governments or third parties, will now be more strictly regulated. The EBU also warned that any confirmed attempts to manipulate results would result in sanctions.

3. Jury Voting Reintroduced to the Semi-Finals

For the first time since the 2022 contest in Turin, a 50/50 split between jury and public voting will be reintroduced in the semi-finals. According to the EBU, this change is intended to ensure “optimum musical balance and diversity” in the songs qualifying for the Grand Final.

4. Jury Panels Expanded and Diversified

The number of jurors per country has increased from five to seven, with each panel now required to include at least two jurors aged 18–25. The EBU also confirmed jurors will now be selected from a wider range of professional backgrounds, including music journalists, critics, educators, choreographers, stage directors and experienced industry professionals. All jurors must also sign a declaration confirming impartiality and responsible use of social media.

5. Enhanced Voting Security Measures

The EBU will work alongside its voting partner to strengthen fraud detection systems, enhancing monitoring of suspicious or coordinated voting patterns to safeguard the integrity of the audience vote.

Had the broadcasters voted against these changes by majority, a separate vote regarding Israel’s participation in the contest was scheduled to take place. However, this vote was rendered unnecessary after the majority approved the new rules.

As a result, Israel has been granted permission to participate in the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, scheduled to take place next May in Vienna, Austria. However, several countries have since released statements announcing their withdrawal from the 2026 contest following the meeting.

Confirmed Withdrawals from Eurovision 2026

Netherlands

(Official Statement Issued by AVROTROS)

“AVROTROS has decided not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026. This decision follows a careful and extensive deliberation process in which we consulted a broad range of stakeholders: from the Israeli ambassador to Amnesty International, from the EBU to several European public broadcasters, as well as our own Association Council, Works Council, Supervisory Board, and the many thousands of Eurovision fans who reached out to us. After weighing all perspectives, AVROTROS concludes that, under the current circumstances, participation cannot be reconciled with the public values that are fundamental to our organisation. This decision was taken in close coordination with the Dutch Public Broadcasting (NPO), which respects and supports the conclusions we have drawn.

Review of the Process

On 12 September 2025, AVROTROS noted that the severe humanitarian suffering in Gaza, the restrictions on press freedom, and the political interference surrounding the most recent edition of the Eurovision Song Contest were incompatible with the values we stand for. In that context, AVROTROS concluded that participation by the Israeli broadcaster KAN in this year could no longer be aligned with our responsibilities as a public broadcaster. Reliability, independence, and humanity are our guiding principles.

EBU Response and Developments

The EBU has acknowledged that political interference occurred during the previous edition and has announced additional measures to prevent a recurrence. However, these measures do not alter what happened during the last contest. Today, the General Assembly decided that Israel will be allowed to participate in 2026. At the same time, the meeting made clear that concerns about the neutrality and apolitical character of the Eurovision Song Contest remain significant among several European public broadcasters.

Conclusion

What unfolded over the past year, including the infringement of universal values such as humanity, press freedom, but also the political interference that occurred during the previous edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, crossed a boundary for us. That remains decisive for AVROTROS, regardless of the steps taken since. Additionally, the situation in Gaza remains extremely fragile and deeply concerning. At this moment, it is simply too early to speak of a substantial, stable improvement that would allow us to participate in the Song Contest in a way that aligns with our values.”

SOURCE: [AVROTROS]

Spain

(Official Statement Issued by RTVE)

“RTVE has announced Spain’s withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest following the votes held today in Geneva at the 95th EBU General Assembly, which resulted in Israel remaining in the European music competition. The RTVE Board of Directors agreed last September that Spain would withdraw from Eurovision if Israel participated.

The withdrawal from the Festival also means that RTVE will not broadcast the Eurovision 2026 final , which will be held in Vienna (Austria) on May 16, nor the previous semi-finals of the contest, which will take place on the 12th and 14th.

RTVE, along with seven other countries, has formally requested a secret ballot at the Assembly. The EBU presidency has denied RTVE’s request for a specific vote on Israel’s participation. This decision increases RTVE’s distrust of the festival’s organization and confirms the political pressure surrounding it.”

SOURCE: [RTVE]

Ireland

(Official Statement Issued by RTÉ)

“Following today’s EBU Winter General Assembly in Geneva at which Israel’s participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest was confirmed, RTÉ’s position remains unchanged. RTÉ will not participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, nor will RTÉ broadcast the competition.

“RTÉ feels that Ireland’s participation remains unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there, which continues to put the lives of so many civilians at risk. RTÉ remains deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza during the conflict and the continued denial of access to international journalists to the territory.”

SOURCE: [RTÉ]

Slovenia

(Official Statement Issued by RTÉ)

Slovenia Pulls Out as RTVSLO Refuses to Compete Alongside Israel.

In an official statement, RTVSLO President Natalija Gorščak said: “For the third year in a row, the public has been demanding that we say no to the cooperation of any country that is attacking another country. We must follow European standards for peace and understanding. From the very beginning, Eurovision was a place for joy and happiness, the performers and the audience were united by music, and so it should remain. Our message is: we will not participate in the ESC if Israel is there. On behalf of the 20,000 children who died in Gaza.”

SOURCE: [RTVSLO]

Following the EBU General Assembly vote, Eurovision Song Contest Director Martin Green issued a statement, saying: “It was a full, frank and honest and quite moving debate, but as we can see from the emphatic result, they really came together on a belief that the Eurovision Song Contest shouldn’t be used as a political theatre,” he says.

“It must retain some sense of neutrality.”

SOURCE: [BBC]

In the wake of Thursday’s General Assembly, the EBU confirmed it will continue discussions with its members in the coming weeks to determine final participation for the 2026 contest. The full list of participating countries is expected to be announced before Christmas.