Overview
- The first semifinal began Tuesday in Vienna with 35 countries competing after Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Iceland withdrew to protest Israel’s inclusion.
- The EBU’s new integrity rules take effect this year, cutting the maximum votes per viewer to 10 and restoring national juries in the semifinals to counter organized vote drives.
- A New York Times investigation published Monday reported Israeli government-backed efforts since 2024 to influence televoting through online ads, diplomatic networks and diaspora mobilization.
- Protests have surrounded the event, including a small opening-ceremony disruption Sunday with old Iranian flags, and Vienna police expect roughly 3,000 people at rallies on Friday and on the day of the final.
- Italy’s Sal Da Vinci previewed Per sempre sì out of competition as a Big Five finalist after producers corrected an earlier rehearsal clip that had an altered audio mix.