Eurovision 2026: On the eve of a crucial decision, Finland issues an ultimatum and demands that the EBU adopt four new conditions it formally placed on the table this morning.
While representatives of the EBU gather for a pivotal debate on Eurovision’s future, a new declaration from Finland casts doubt over its own participation. The Finnish national broadcaster YLE, one of the competition’s most experienced and long‑standing participants, has issued an unusually sharp statement: Finland will consider withdrawing from Eurovision if the EBU does not fully adopt the regulatory changes it has proposed.
Finland thus becomes another country that is not content with criticism alone, but instead puts a concrete threat on the table, joining states such as Spain, Slovenia, Ireland and the Netherlands.
In the words of YLE’s director general, Marit af Björkesten, there is a very clear warning. According to her, the original purpose of Eurovision was to create a space where nations could meet and interact precisely in times of disagreement. But in order to preserve this DNA, the union must ensure that the contest does not become an instrument of political influence and that its voting system remains protected against manipulation.
In practical terms, Finland is asking the EBU for something very straightforward: to adopt all of the regulatory changes that the union itself has already drafted – without delays, without re‑wording, and with very strict oversight of how they are implemented. This demand is being made in the shadow of Israel’s first‑place finish in the public vote at Eurovision 2025 and the subsequent erosion of confidence in the integrity of the voting system.
Among the main changes to the rules proposed by the European Broadcasting Union are the following points:
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A ban on “excessive” campaign funding intended to influence the outcome of the contest.
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Tighter voting limits: each viewer will be allowed a maximum of 10 votes.
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Juries will once again have a say in determining the semi‑final results.
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The number of jury members in each country will rise to seven, including two jurors aged 18–25.
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Stronger security mechanisms to protect the voting system from fraud and manipulation.
Voting in Geneva: Finland will decide whether to stay
While the EBU is expected to address Israel’s participation today, YLE insists that the regulatory changes themselves must also be brought to discussion and to a formal vote. In addition to the rule changes, YLE is putting forward three further conditions it regards as critical:
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Ensuring the safety of participants and audiences – an issue that has become especially sensitive in recent years, including for the Israeli delegation, amid previous criticism that Israel’s participation left some contestants feeling unsafe.
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Preserving a broad field of participating countries – Finland does not want to see a shrunken contest or a wave of withdrawals triggered by Israel’s presence. This condition follows explicit threats by Spain, Slovenia, Ireland and the Netherlands to pull out of the competition.
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Keeping participation costs at a reasonable level – Finland fears that a mass withdrawal of countries, particularly Spain, which is considered one of the financial backers of the Eurovision Song Contest, would drive participation fees sharply higher. Such a move could make it difficult for additional public broadcasters to sustain their budgets.
In 2025, 37 national broadcasters took part in Eurovision. YLE stresses that it wants to see at least the same level of participation maintained – and ideally increased – in the coming years.
This morning, YLE stated openly that Finland’s decision on whether to continue participating in Eurovision in the future will depend directly on the outcome of the debate and vote.
In other words, this is a formal withdrawal threat from a country that has sent 58 entries to the contest since 1961, has become a fan favorite, and gave the world a winning hit such as “Hard Rock Hallelujah”.
Finland at Eurovision 2025
“Ich Komme” (in English: “I Am Coming”) is the song performed by Erika Vikman, who represented Finland in the Eurovision 2025 Grand Final. Finland qualified for the Grand Final after placing third in the second semi-final with 115 points. In the Grand Final, Finland finished 11th with a total of 196 points, placing ninth in the public vote with 108 points and tenth in the jury vote with 88 points.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Finland’s 59th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Finland joined the competition in 1961 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2006, winning the contest with Lordi and their song “Hard Rock Hallelujah”.
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Ilay Gaist is a leading Israeli content creator and writer specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. He is a well-known commentator with extensive expertise in the contest’s history, rules, and dynamics. His passion for Eurovision drives him to deliver rich, professional, and innovative content to his audience.
Ilay holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic and has a multilingual background. He also engages in cultural research, with a particular focus on global culinary traditions and the evolution of local cuisines around the world.
