Watch: Beyond Eurovision's glitter - how geopolitics became the biggest act in Vienna

By Jakub Janas Published on 15/05/2026 - 11:06 GMT+2•Updated 11:08 Share Comments Share

Copy/paste the article video embed link below:

Copied

Have you ever wondered what makes a hit in 2026? According to Spotify, a song should have a tempo of 127 beats per minute, a four-four time signature, and the key of F Major. But this year, the biggest hit at Eurovision is not a melody; it is the politics.

Vienna is hosting its 70th anniversary, but the "United by Music" motto is under its heaviest strain yet. Let’s look what’s behind the glitter.

With only 35 participating countries, the lowest level since 2003, the competition is struggling to survive the grit of real-world geopolitics.

Europe is witnessing its largest boycott ever, with five nations, so Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland, pulling out over Israel's inclusion.

And in a move of direct protest, Slovenia has replaced the live broadcast with a documentary series titled "Voices of Palestine."

Even inside the arena, Israel’s Noam Bettan qualified amidst a wall of both cheers and protests. It seems like this edition has become a high-stakes revenue gamble for an event that organisers claim was watched by over 160 million people around the world last year.

Following the vote last December to confirm Israel’s place in the contest, President Isaac Herzog argued that the country "deserves to be represented on every stage." He described the move as a vital demonstration of "solidarity, fellowship, and cooperation."

And Israeli officials have accused their critics of wide-ranging campaign against Israel’s participation in Eurovision with the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs saying it had identified a sharp rise in antisemitic and anti-Israel tones surrounding the contest.

One thing is certain - whether through boycotts or ballads, Eurovision remains the only stage where continent’s tensions are performed in three minutes of pyrotechnics, strobe lights and perhaps even some music in the background too.

Watch the Euronews video in the player above for the full story.

Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments

Watch: Beyond Eurovision's glitter - how geopolitics became the biggest act in Vienna

Have you ever wondered what makes a hit in 2026? According to Spotify, a song should have a tempo of 127 beats per minute, a four-four time signature, and the key of F Major. But this year, the biggest hit at Eurovision is not a melody; it is the politics.

Read more

Favourite Finland and Israel make it through to Eurovision final

Eurovision Song Contest 2026: The most streamed entries of all time and the people’s winners

Eurovision semi-finals: What to expect, how to watch and who is among favourites to win

Схожі новини

Trump gives Takaichi ‘detailed explanation’ of talks with China’s Xi

Strong earthquake jolts Tohoku region

'I could tell them I don't want any students but...': Trump on accepting 500,000 Chinese students in US

For all its nonsense, ‘Mystery Arena’ is weirdly entertaining