June 1, 2025
The glittering spectacle of Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland has become a lightning rod for controversy, with what should have been a celebration of musical unity transforming into a geopolitical battleground. From stage invasions during Israel’s performance to accusations of voting irregularities and threats of withdrawal from major participating countries, this year’s contest has exposed the deepening fault lines between Eurovision’s founding ideals and the complex realities of modern Europe.
The 69th Eurovision Song Contest, held at St. Jakobshalle from May 13-17, crowned Austria’s JJ with “Wasted Love” as the winner, but the victory has been overshadowed by a series of dramatic incidents that have called into question the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) claim that the contest remains an apolitical celebration of music and unity.
Israel at the Center of the Storm
The most explosive controversy centered around Israel’s participation amid the ongoing Gaza war. Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 2023 terror attack, faced significant challenges before even taking the stage:
- More than 100 Finnish artists signed a petition demanding that Finland’s national broadcaster boycott the contest if Israel was allowed to compete
- Protests erupted both inside and outside the venue during Israel’s performances
- Two protesters attempted to storm the stage during Raphael’s final performance, creating a significant security breach
- Despite the controversy, Israel won the public televote, finishing second overall
The European Broadcasting Union has since been criticized for its handling of the situation, with some participating broadcasters calling for a discussion on Israel’s inclusion. The EBU has maintained that Eurovision is a contest between broadcasters, not governments, and that Israel’s public broadcaster met all the criteria for participation.
Spain Threatens Withdrawal
In a dramatic escalation following the contest, Spain has threatened to withdraw from future Eurovision competitions. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez issued a stark ultimatum, stating that if certain demands were not met, Spain would no longer participate.
“If our demands are not met, we will withdraw from Eurovision,” Sánchez declared in a statement that sent shockwaves through the Eurovision community. The threat came after Israel’s strong showing in the public vote, which Sánchez and other Spanish officials have characterized as politically motivated rather than based on musical merit.
Estonia’s “Espresso Macchiato” Controversy
Adding to the tension was Estonia’s entry, “Espresso Macchiato,” which caused outrage in Italy. The song, which features lyrics that Italian critics claim trivialize their coffee culture, became a flashpoint for cultural sensitivity debates.
Italian media outlets and social media users expressed indignation over what they perceived as cultural appropriation and disrespect for Italy’s coffee traditions. The controversy highlighted the delicate balance Eurovision must maintain between cultural exchange and cultural sensitivity.
San Marino’s Voting System Criticism
The tiny republic of San Marino added to the chorus of discontent after finishing last in the competition. San Marino’s delegation issued a formal complaint about the voting system, claiming it disadvantages smaller nations and calling for reforms to ensure fairer representation.
“The current voting system inherently favors larger countries with bigger diaspora populations,” said San Marino’s head of delegation in a statement. “We need to revisit how votes are tallied if Eurovision truly wants to be a level playing field.”
The Changing Face of Eurovision
These controversies come at a time when Eurovision itself is undergoing a significant transformation from its roots as a European public broadcasting collaboration to a global commercial entertainment brand.
| Aspect | Original Eurovision (1956) | Eurovision 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Reach | 7 European countries | 37 participating countries with global audience |
| Voting | Professional jury only | Mix of jury and public votes, including “Rest of World” online voting |
| Platform | Public service TV only | Multi-platform: TV, YouTube, TikTok, dedicated app |
| Commercial elements | Minimal sponsorship | Major brand partnerships, merchandise, global licensing |
| Political context | Post-WWII unity project | Contested geopolitical arena |
| Production control | Host broadcaster autonomy | Centralized EBU management team |
Media analyst Mo Fanning of OnEurope notes that “Eurovision’s village square has moved from the town hall to the global mall,” raising questions about who ultimately benefits from the contest’s massive reach and whether its original public service mission has been diluted.
The Human Stories Behind the Headlines
Amid the controversies, there are poignant human stories. Yuval Raphael, Israel’s contestant, spoke emotionally after returning home: “No one will ever break us. The love I felt from people across Europe who voted for our song shows that music can still bridge divides.”
Meanwhile, Austria’s winner JJ celebrated his country’s first victory since 2014, emphasizing the personal journey behind his song “Wasted Love.” “This song came from a place of real pain and healing,” he said at the winner’s press conference. “That’s what music should be about – human connection, not politics.”
For the host country Switzerland, which last hosted Eurovision in 1989, the controversies have somewhat tarnished what should have been a proud moment. “We wanted to showcase the best of Switzerland and the best of Eurovision,” said Michelle Hunziker, one of the contest’s presenters. “It’s unfortunate that political tensions have dominated the conversation.”
What Comes Next?
As Austria prepares to host the 2026 contest, the EBU faces mounting pressure to address the issues that have plagued this year’s event. Several participating broadcasters have called for an extraordinary meeting to discuss the future direction of Eurovision, including its voting systems and participation criteria.
The Spanish threat of withdrawal, if carried out, could prompt other countries to reconsider their participation, potentially triggering a cascade effect that could fundamentally alter the contest’s makeup.
Eurovision has weathered controversies before – from political voting blocs to on-stage protests – but the intensity and breadth of this year’s issues suggest a contest at a crossroads. As one EBU official, speaking on condition of anonymity, put it: “Eurovision has always been a mirror of Europe – its unity and its divisions. Right now, that mirror is showing us some uncomfortable truths.”
Whether the contest can recalibrate to better balance its entertainment value with its founding ideals of cultural exchange and public service remains to be seen. What is clear is that for Eurovision 2025, the final notes may have been sung, but the controversies will reverberate long after the stage lights have dimmed.
FAQ: Understanding the Eurovision 2025 Controversy
What exactly happened during Israel’s performance at Eurovision 2025?
During Israeli singer Yuval Raphael’s performance in the final on May 17, two protesters attempted to storm the stage, creating a security breach. Security personnel quickly intervened, and the performance continued after a brief interruption. This incident occurred against a backdrop of protests both inside and outside the venue related to Israel’s participation amid the ongoing Gaza war.
Why did Israel’s participation cause controversy?
Israel’s participation was controversial due to the ongoing Gaza war, which began in October 2023. Critics argued that allowing Israel to compete normalized its military actions, while supporters maintained that Eurovision is a contest between broadcasters, not governments, and that Israel’s public broadcaster met all criteria for participation. The controversy was heightened because Yuval Raphael is a survivor of the October 2023 terror attack, adding an emotional dimension to the debate.
What is Spain threatening to do, and why?
Spain is threatening to withdraw from future Eurovision competitions if certain demands are not met. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez made this threat following Israel’s strong showing in the public vote, which Spanish officials have characterized as politically motivated rather than based on musical merit. Spain’s specific demands include reforms to the voting system and clearer guidelines on political neutrality.
What was controversial about Estonia’s “Espresso Macchiato” entry?
Estonia’s entry “Espresso Macchiato” caused outrage in Italy because its lyrics and presentation were perceived as trivializing Italian coffee culture. Italian critics viewed it as cultural appropriation and disrespectful to their traditions. The controversy highlighted tensions around cultural sensitivity in Eurovision performances.
How does the Eurovision voting system work?
Eurovision uses a combined voting system where each participating country awards two sets of points (1-8, 10, and 12) – one from a professional jury and one from public televoting. Additionally, since 2023, viewers from non-participating countries can vote online in a “Rest of the World” category. The final result combines all these votes. San Marino and other smaller nations have criticized this system, arguing it favors countries with larger populations and diaspora communities.
Has Eurovision always been this political?
While Eurovision has officially maintained an apolitical stance throughout its history, political tensions have frequently surfaced in various forms – from voting blocs to politically charged lyrics and performances. However, many observers note that the political dimensions have intensified in recent years, particularly as the contest has grown more global and commercially oriented.
Who won Eurovision 2025?
Austria won Eurovision 2025 with the song “Wasted Love,” performed by JJ. Austria won both the combined vote and jury vote, placing fourth in the televote. Israel won the televote but finished second overall, followed by Estonia, Sweden, and Italy to complete the top five.
Where will Eurovision be held next year?
Eurovision 2026 will be held in Austria, as the winning country traditionally hosts the following year’s contest. The specific Austrian city has not yet been announced, as the host city selection process typically takes several months following the contest.
Has any country ever withdrawn from Eurovision over political disagreements before?
Yes, there have been several instances of countries withdrawing from Eurovision due to political disagreements. Notable examples include Turkey’s withdrawal in 2013 (partly due to disagreements with the voting system), Hungary’s withdrawal in 2020 (reportedly linked to the contest’s LGBTQ+ inclusive values), and various temporary withdrawals during specific political tensions. However, a withdrawal by a major participant like Spain would be significant.
Is Eurovision still primarily a European event?
While Eurovision remains rooted in Europe with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) as its organizer, it has increasingly become a global entertainment brand. Australia has competed since 2015, and viewers from 156 non-participating countries can now vote online. The contest draws massive global viewership through platforms like YouTube and TikTok, with the 2025 edition reaching an estimated television audience of 166 million viewers in 37 European markets, plus millions more worldwide through digital platforms.
