Eurovision 2021: Was the Voting Really Rigged?

Questions surrounding the integrity of the Eurovision voting process have been a recurring theme over the years. In particular, the 2021 edition of the contest has prompted many to ask whether the voting was manipulated. This article aims to explore the allegations, the historical context of the competition, and the efforts made to secure the voting process.

The History of Political Voting in Eurovision

Historically, Eurovision has seen voting patterns that could be classified as “political”. Neighboring countries frequently support each other's entries, and given the large number of competing songs, it’s not uncommon for the winner to be a country that one might not have supported. These voting patterns often reflect historical, cultural, and political ties between nations.

Is Eurovision Really Rigged?

The claim that Eurovision is rigged is not a new one. Some argue that it has been rigged in the past, specifically in 1968. However, the situation has evolved over the years. With the introduction of the new voting procedures, political and regional voting patterns have become less prominent and more challenging to identify.

The 2021 Controversy

Despite the changes, concerns about rigging persist. Allegations about rigged voting in previous competitions, such as the use of mass SIM card purchases and potential jury bribery, have fueled suspicion. In response to these concerns, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) executive committee has taken active steps to address potential vulnerabilities in the voting system. This includes implementing measures to prevent future scandals and irregularities.

Understanding the Voting Process

The 2021 voting process involved both public televotes and jury votes. The televotes, which are decided by the general public, played a significant role in determining the winner, with the televote winner often receiving significantly more points than the jury winner. By contrast, jury votes, with only five per country, may reflect the biases and preferences of a smaller, more specific demographic. These differences highlight the challenges in attributing a single cause to any suspected rigging.

The Malta Scandal

The most prominent accusation of rigging in 2021 came from the Maltese delegation, which was accused of paying for positive media reviews and overspending public funds on advertising. Although this was a serious allegation, the outcomes of the competition did not support the idea that these actions had a significant impact on the result. Italy, the winner, faced no similar scandals. This outcome suggests that, despite potential irregularities and allegations, they rarely, if ever, influence the final winner of the contest.

Conclusion

While concerns about rigging in Eurovision are not unfounded, the evidence from previous allegations and the integrated measures taken by the EBU suggest that the competition remains fair and transparent. The public televotes and jury votes together determine the winner, and while both can be influenced by various factors, there is little strong evidence to suggest that the results were manipulated. Eurovision, as a significant cultural event, continues to engage audiences and promote cross-cultural understanding.