They’re the Caucasian neighbours with a distinctly un-neighbourly attitude to scoring when it comes to Eurovision.

And this year was no different for Azerbaijan and Armenia, whose juries and televoters ranked each other’s entries bottom of the scoreboard. 

That’s not particularly surprising given the enduring nature of their geopolitical spat.

But in a twist on this tale, Cyprus’s Hovig also appears to have fallen foul of politically motivated jury voting too.

Hovig, whose father is Armenian, carried out promotion for “Gravity” in Armenia and took part in Artsvik’s Armenian folk song challenge, covering “Yeraz im hayreni (My dream homeland”) in a clip uploaded through his official Facebook page.

That appeal to his paternal roots paid off in the voting: he placed top with Armenian televoters earning their 12 points and 7 points from the jury.

It would appear to have had a less beneficial impact with the Azerbaijani jury, who ranked Cyprus second-last, only ahead of Armenia.

EBU RESPONSE TO ARMENIA AND AZERBIAJAN’S JURY VOTING

In a reply to a question on the subject from Aftonbladet‘s Tobbe Ek, the EBU denied any wrongdoing on the part of Azerbaijan’s jury and suggested the presence of juries places the contest beyond politics.

“The winner of the Eurovision is decided by televoters and juries (comprised of music industry professionals), who each have a 50% stake in the outcome. Each juror signs a declaration, stating they will judge the songs independently, based on a number of criteria, such as the song, the lyrics, the performance and hit potential. They understand that their judging also excludes any staff views pro or against a human performers background. We expect them to, and are happy that they do, respect these rules in order to keep the contest clear from (geo) political influences.”

That might be the official line. But the reality of politically-motivated scoring is blindingly obvious after so many years of repeated low rankings.

Only last year controversy arose when Armenia’s contestant Iveta Mukuchyan waved a flag of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region in the green room, during the live broadcast of the first semi-final from Stockholm.

What do you think of the jury voting? Is politics at play? How would you resolve the issue? Let us know in the comments below!

GET MORE ARMENIA NEWS HERE

GET MORE AZERBAIJAN NEWS HERE

150 Comments
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Lazarevfan
Lazarevfan
6 years ago

again you singling out only Aze & Arm juries why?
What about other neighbour voting or downvoting because of sitizenship??
Greece/Cyprus Moldova/Romania, Ukraine downvoted Kris, etc etc
Be fair for once & mention other cases of favouritism

Bonny
Bonny
6 years ago
John
John
6 years ago

Armenians Are really annoying. just don’t lose your touch with reality.Your so called “genocide” game will not bring any sympathy votes to you or any conpensations.

Ay Jo
Ay Jo
6 years ago

Moderators of Wiwibloggs, can you please look through your comment section? Who is Steve or Mark Barbarian? Why are those persons allowed to abuse my all people?

Ay Jo
Ay Jo
6 years ago

@ Mark BARBARIC,, pay attention to your words!!! You are the most uncivilized person on this blog by calling all Azerbaijanis-the whole nation uncivilized. 20 per cent of Azerbaijani territory is occupied by Armenian separatists with the help of Russia. We have 1 (ONE)million internal refugees, 30 thousand people died during the war. And INTERNATIONAL law , plus resolutions of the UN 822,853,874,884 recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as a part of Azerbaijan. You are not living in the democratic country. President of Armenia is Serzh Sarkisian is a criminal who killed hundreds of Azerbaijani in NK. You are jabbering all day about… Read more »

PP
PP
6 years ago

EBU allow this from final 2009 . Every year Azerbaijan was on 25 or 26 in final by armenian juries and televote, and Armenia was on 25 or 26 place in final by azerbaijan juries and televote.

Fatima
Fatima
6 years ago

My solution, find 12-16 countries outside the Eurovision family and let them decide.

PP
PP
6 years ago
Reply to  Fatima

Not good idea. Solution is to every countries get points in semi final and final like we had in Eurovision in 1971 to 1973 . And then we had to Armenia get 2 points from Azerbaijan (1 from televote and 1 from juries ) and Azerbaijan get 2 points (1 from 1 televote and 1 from juries)

Tavanaan
Tavanaan
6 years ago
Reply to  PP

Could you explain this system you propose a bit more please? Every country get points…? I was not around in the 70s yet 🙂

Johanna
6 years ago

You completed several nice points there. I did a search on the matter and found most persons will go along with with your blog.

Anton
Anton
6 years ago

One of the problems with having televote only is that unlike jury people only vote for one or couple of their favorites and don’t rank all the songs, which means, some quality songs can miss out on every national top-10 and not receive any recognition if they don’t stand out enough (I think, this year’s Austria can be an example), even if those are good songs which people liked. With both televote and juries, there’s a chance for every song to be acknowledged

Anton
Anton
6 years ago

Ideally, it would be nice if juries were voting on the song without knowing which country it represents, or if they had two rankings: one they compose after just listening and another after seeing the stage and having the country revealed. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to implement when all the songs are announced prior to the contest.

tavanana
tavanana
6 years ago
Reply to  Anton

I agree, but that would be impossible. I think the main problem is the juries itself – how they are chosen – who is chosen. My country had two eightteen year olds in the jury, who do not write their own music or anything like that. They are more like “socialites” than anything else. Another jury member is a not highly regarded radio presenter, so again: not “musicians” at all! So in that case, I could be in the jury myself, voting subjectively. Sigh…

Anton
Anton
6 years ago

Some degree of political voting is unavoidable whether it’s televote or people deciding on behalf of a nation. I think we just have to accept at this point, that it’s part of a country’s vote, too. Still, re-introduction of juries has benefited the contest. Perhaps, it is possible to reduce the impact of political vote by including certain amount of independent jurors from outside of Europe.

José doggie
José doggie
6 years ago

I still think that Armenia and Azerbaijan should not be allowed to compete in this contest. They caused too much problem in years because of politics. Let them join to the contest once they stop the war and hatred towards each other. But if you allow them compete it’s stupid to expect them to be objective about each other’s entries. (and I don’t even talk about the attitude of armenian fans in esc blogs; rigging polls, attacking ppl who does not like their entries etc.)

Mark Beckenbreur
Mark Beckenbreur
6 years ago
Reply to  José doggie

Thanks god, the decision makers are not that stupid and biased as some of the random Eurovision fans, otherwise those 2 countries would be thrown out of the contest till the end of the times, well at least for one of these 2, because their problem will never be resolved peacefully.

Meena
Meena
6 years ago

Wetransfer has become rather slow these days. Check out this “cloudless” sharing service called Binfer. Learn about no cloud file transfers

ado
ado
6 years ago

Say what you want, but EBU gave the only possible answer. You wanted juries, you have juries. EBU can’t start questioning jury members and their reasons. EBU can’t go to Armenian jurors to ask them ”Why do you never like Azerbaijan entries? Or to go to Azerbaijan jurors to ask them ”Why do you never like Armenian entries?” Or to ask Cyprus and Greece ”Why do you always like each other entries?” Or to ask Hungarian jurors ”Why do you never like Romanian entries?” Or to ask Moldovian jurors””Why do you always like Romanian entries?” This is what it is,… Read more »

Mark Beckenbreur
Mark Beckenbreur
6 years ago
Reply to  ado

Or to the Dutch jury: why do you never like Armenian songs? Although the answer would be pretty banal – REVENGE for the years of giving to Armenia (Turkey, Poland,Azerbaijan) highest points.

Ludvig Ericsson
Ludvig Ericsson
6 years ago
Reply to  ado

Actually I think that would be a good idea. If you’re in a jury you should be able to motivate your desicion. Although I’d rather have randomly selected Juries every year because it would be a too big thing otherwise logistically.

HBau
HBau
6 years ago

It’s such a shame that the EBU is so obviously lying. Like, there is no way whatsoever that they’re satisfied that this is free of politics, because it is extremely obvious that it isn’t. It’s one thing to accept it happening but give a pat on the nose with a feather and acknowledge what a six year old could work out, it’s another to actively lie. They should get a one year ban. I enjoyed both songs, and I often do enjoy the entries of both Armenia and Azerbaijan, And I get that the situation is very tense and emotions… Read more »

Darth Thulhu
Darth Thulhu
6 years ago
Reply to  HBau

Agreed. Thank heaven there’s no “downvoting”, or they’d both crank the lever over to Maximum Downvote.

Mark Beckenbreur
Mark Beckenbreur
6 years ago
Reply to  HBau

Why should Armenia be banned? They at least tried to be objective as its possible in their conflict with these uncivilized people. Armenians were giving to Azerbaijan some points. What we got back? Yes, interrogation of those few Azeris who dared to vote for Inga and Anoush back in 2009 by the Azeri security services. Yes, ban the innocent with the criminal. Great idea!

ElisaEsc
ElisaEsc
6 years ago

Would happen the same if Turkey comes next year? I mean I am sure that Armenia will be always in Top 3 of Turkish televotes but what would happend with juries? I think Turkish juries would not rank Armenia very high but also they would not rank It very low depens on the song. For example if Turkey were in 2015 in esc probably ” Dont deny” would end like 24th or 25th but in Turkish juries I think but Artsvik could be like somewhere in 14-20th places. What would the armenian jury do? Would they rank Turkey higher than… Read more »

Mark Beckenbreur
Mark Beckenbreur
6 years ago
Reply to  ElisaEsc

Yes it would, Armenians have better ‘Eurovision relationship’ with the Turks than with their less civilized eastern little ‘brothers’.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago

Azeri troll much?

Mark Beckenbreur
Mark Beckenbreur
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Yep, ret?rd?d azeri troll. Poor soul.

jorgequi
jorgequi
6 years ago

They are in war, I don’t understand why people want them support each other in a contest like it’s normal. It would be good of course, but that’s just not realistic. Last time when Armenia gave 1 pt to Azerbaijan I hope you remember what happened. *cough*Sirusho*cough*monument pics*cough*

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  jorgequi

*Cough Azerbaijan cutting the transmission of the Armenian entiry* *Cough Azerbaijan interrogating its own citizens for voting for Armenia*

ElisaEsc
ElisaEsc
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Would happen the same if Turkey comes next year? I mean I am sure that Armenia will be always in Top 3 of Turkish televotes but what would happend with juries? I think Turkish juries would not rank Armenia very high but also they would not rank It very low depens on the song. For example if Turkey were in 2015 in esc probably ” Dont deny” would end like 24th or 25th but in Turkish juries I think but Artsvik could be like somewhere in 14-20th places. What would the armenian jury do? Would they rank Turkey higher than… Read more »

Ay Jo
Ay Jo
6 years ago

If I were a jury I would have placed him “less than zero rank” with this meaningless, characterless song,lol. But Artsvik would deserve at least the 15-20th place just only for her jazzy voice and her professional approach to an okayish song. Dihaj had to be placed higher by Armenian juries as well. I do not think eliminating juries from voting will bring something different to that contest. Hope there are analysts who are able to bring something novel to the table if EBU pays them enough for the sake of the future of the contest. And Steve or Mark… Read more »

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

Just a comment about EBU’s statement: This is nonsense! I didn’t expect them to say sth is wrong but the situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan happens every year. Ranking a song differently than the public is normal. To put it last every year isn’t normal. So Azerbaijani juries think Armenia sends the worst song every year. It doesn’t make sense! The interesting part is people do the same thing as the juries. But that’s why juries are there to prevent such situations as well as neighbouring voting. What do I think about the jury voting? I’m in favour because juries… Read more »

LiGhts
LiGhts
6 years ago

We’re not azeris or anything. We are Azerbaijanians. Just saying.

Eve
Eve
6 years ago

When is EBU going to realize how bad their criteria on which they select individuals for the national juries is? It was painfully obvious last year, and more so this year, that the juries give high points to the neighbouring countries for sympathetic reasons. My country Sweden for example, our jury gave high points to Denmark: What for? It was a horrible song and the public recognized this – the jury didn’t! Oh and the famous Greece-Cyprus 12 points exchange didn’t end with the jury-system it seems – and that’s completely unprofessional!! In the Swedish jury we had two pop-singers… Read more »

Ron
Ron
6 years ago

Clearly Azerbaijan’s voting was based on racial hatred towards Armenians. This is absolutely unacceptable. But we all know that when it comes to Azerbaijan, they can do no wrong in the eyes of the EBU.

Adam
Adam
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Azerbuyjan love$ Eurovi$ion and follow$ all the rule$, what are you talking about…

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  Adam

Azerbaijan bribing EBU whaaaat? No way, you can’t be serious?! Hope you can feel my sarcasm.

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

As punisent Ebu should cancel Armenia and Azerbaijan’s jury vote!!
Also Lithuanian jurors rated Polina and Sergey as last!!

Kris
Kris
6 years ago
Reply to  Kris

*Punishment

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

The worst jury was Malta tbh!!
They put Azerbaijan And Belgium in the Bottom 2 why??,
Because the songs were too good to be in Eurovision and the only two mainstream enough to succeed outside of Eurovision!!

Mark Beckenbreur
Mark Beckenbreur
6 years ago
Reply to  Kris

Azerbaijan didn’t pay Malta as usual due to the difficult economic situation.

John
John
6 years ago

When Azerbaijan paid you were in the rooms?

Charles
Charles
6 years ago

Sometimes I wonder what is more disturbing … if a) the noisy and violently loud uproar between Ukraine and Russia .. or if b) the agonizing silence of two countries who neglect one another in such an inhuman way with no will for dialogue or will to reach a solution to this problem. There’s too much pride on both sides and that makes the whole thing even harder regardless of who of the two is really wrongdoing this … Too much dirty laundry still between these sons and daughters of the deceased URSS …

Aliyah
Aliyah
6 years ago

Armenia occupied 20% of Azerbaijani lands. How can you guys can wait from Azerbaijan to vote for armenians? Would you support someone who killed your family? Try to understand the people and dont judge them!

Steve
Steve
6 years ago
Reply to  Aliyah

Why were you scared when Russia tried to denounce the Moscow and Kara agreements of 1921? Because you would have lost the enclave Nakhijrvan. According to these agreements Karabahg/Artzakh and Nakhijevan were awarded to newly established country called Azerbaijan (a scond Turkish country) and many other territories to Turkey so that Turks helped Bolsheviks spread the red revolution to the East. Turkey was, however, clevere than Russia and misled them. But remember these agreements are subject to prolongation every 59 years. So you never know what can happen later. Even if Armenia is slaughtered once again like in 1915, Russia… Read more »

Mark Beckenbreur
Mark Beckenbreur
6 years ago
Reply to  Aliyah

Killed families blah blah Yes, go ahead, start whining and spreading your lies you brainl ess moro n. Should I remind about multiple massacres of the Armenians in your fake deepshi t called Azerbaijan?

Alex
Alex
6 years ago

Ban Azerbaijan, ridiculous!

If you check their rankings in the semifinal, they are identical between the jury members. THIS IS SO SUSPICIOUS

Ay Jo
Ay Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Alex

She deserved higher than that place in the semi. There is nothing suspicious. Dihaj`s performance was underrated that had to finish on TOP 10 in grand final. Skeletons video on Youtube (nearly 2.7 mln views) has 9 times more likers than dislikers. And unlike, other representatives of Azerbaijan, people from different parts of the world listen and appreciate her songs besides Skeletons. Personally, I am feeling happy for her that she reached minds of people who are looking for variety in art throughout Europe. She will be remembered as a unique person and artist.

Julie
Julie
6 years ago

Ha! I didn’t realize that the EBU dabbled in comedy.

esc1234
esc1234
6 years ago

Greek jury didnt give 12 points to cyprus in 2015 as well as the cypriot jury. But i know, when denmark gives 12 points to sweden its just good taste of music…

lolol
lolol
6 years ago

It is more than clear that jurors do not only judge performance on the criteria that the EBU provide. Cyprus came 10th with the juries overall (in the semi), but yet the Armenian jury ranked him 1st (all the jurors). The fact that he has Armenian heritage explains enough. Azerbaijan, on the other hand, placed him 16th, only ahead of Armenia (of course). It is so clear that the jurors knew he was partly Armenian and marked him down for that. The EBU needs to think of ways to reform the juries, because I do think that they are important

ErvinSass
ErvinSass
6 years ago

Those countries are in war, you cannot expect them to support each other. It is song contest, right, but THE COUNTRIES are being represented and for ARM & AZE Eurovision is more than music event I guess. EBU should separate them to different semifinals at least.

Lukewarm
Lukewarm
6 years ago
Reply to  ErvinSass

Not saying it is easy but… that is why we have wars

indi
indi
6 years ago

@ Racal
”Not all juries are geopolitical, only Cyprus/Greece, Romania/Moldova and Ukraine/Belarus/Azerbaijan”

Totally agree with you, like Mans said : ”when Sweden gets 12 points from Norway, it’s clearly just good taste”.

Racal
Racal
6 years ago
Reply to  indi

This year, Sweden got 12 points from the Danish and Finnish juries, two of Sweden’s neighbours. If they were getting points ONLY from these neighbouring countries, you could argue that there’s an issue, but Sweden received points from MANY other non-neighbouring countries: Belgium, Israel, Italy, Switzerland, etc. So all I’m saying is that it looked like there was a consensus around Sweden, it was not just about neighbours (let me specify that I didn’t like Sweden’s song, it was not even in my top 10). On the other end, Cyprus got very few points overall… Except from the Greek jury.… Read more »

indi
indi
6 years ago
Reply to  Racal

So it’s fine to get votes from neighbors as long as they mingle with the crowd.

Racal
Racal
6 years ago
Reply to  indi

If a song is popular, many countries will vote for it (so yes, neighbours and non-neighbours will “mingle”, obviously); that’s what happened with Sweden this year. The anomaly comes when only neighbours vote for a song, and that was the case of Cyprus, Belarus, etc.

indi
indi
6 years ago
Reply to  Racal

From your point of view, is all right to have points based only on friendship, as long as other points came from objective non-friends. But if a country has only 12 points, and only from a friend, this is a tragedy for you. Don’t you see the double standard?
I don’t know what country are you from, but if Sweden has the sense of humor and self irony to sing on the big stage a lyric like : ”when Sweden gets 12 points from Norway, it’s clearly just good taste”, maybe it’s time for you to relax too.

indi
indi
6 years ago
Reply to  indi

My comment is for @Racal.

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

No one is surprised. These two neighbours have always used ESC as a political and cultural battleground between each other. For them it’s all a game of who will outdo the other best.

Ern
Ern
6 years ago

The point of a jury is to recognize quality, and NOT vote simply because one likes or dislikes an entry.

For example, I did NOT like the Portuguese entry at all. However, even I have to acknowledge its quality, and I’d probably have placed it as my #1 or #2 if I were on a jury. Not so sure most jury members think like this.

quince
quince
6 years ago
Reply to  Ern

exactly!

Michael
Michael
6 years ago

Sounds like they’ve been taking in that oil money.

quince
quince
6 years ago

https://www.escxtra.com/2017/05/14/eurovision-2017-old-voting/ Portugal got 417 points in the old system, out of a total of 492, so NEW EUROVISION RECORD! 2017 Portugal – Salvador 85%!!!!!!!!! 2016 Ukraine – Jamala 57% 2015 Sweden – Mans 78% 2014 Austria – Conchita 67% 2013 Denmark – Emelie 62% 2012 Sweden – Loreen 76% 2011 Azerbaijan – Eli/Nikki 44% 2010 Germany – Lena 54% 2009 Norway – A. Rybak 79% 2008 Russia – Dima 54% ……… 2001 Estonia – Padar… 75% 2000 Denmark – Olsens 71% 1997 UK- Katrina 79% 1994 Ireland – Rock’n Roll kids 78% 1986 Belgium – Sandra Kim 77% 1982 Germany… Read more »

Luke
Luke
6 years ago

I like Jury vote this year only because they put my country (UK) 10th but televote totally undrated us, Malta could have been in final as well which I’d of loved and Portugal and Bulgaria would still be 1st and 2nd which I’m delighted about

Steve
Steve
6 years ago
Reply to  Luke

I personally voted for the UK in Armenia and they finished 14th. The point is that sometimes people expect the UZk to send their best singers like many of the countries do. But the UK never sends their best singers. I know that neither Ed Sheeran nor Adele will ever consent to represent their country, but many of these countries send the best they have. So, subconsciously people want the UK to send more quality acts with the edgy pop-songs. I’m sure that Lucie is not a big star in the UK. TBH her song was not the best one… Read more »

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

Which countries send their best singers/biggest stars?

Steve
Steve
6 years ago

Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Latvia, Estonia, Spain, Italy etc

Lolol
Lolol
6 years ago

The Netherlands since 2013. Anouk, Ilse, Waylon, Trijntje, Douwe Bob and OG3NE are all succesfull Dutch acts. 4 of them are / were coaches on The Voice (Kids), and OG3NE has a sold out tour in The Netherlands for example.

Luke
Luke
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

Steve I guess your right but the only big names we (UK) can get are from the past, Lucie is a big name over here but manly in theater and because of X Factor, I’d personally love BBC to entice a big name they have the money for it, Eurovision is still getting negative press over here and many people are wanting us yo leave

Steve
Steve
6 years ago
Reply to  Luke

No, please. Stay for a couple of years. Let a famous performer play and you will see the result. Look how high Blue or Jade scored. Though no one nowadays listen to Blue, voters all over Europe recognized them and voted. Simply that year Stockselious has promised a victory to Azerbaijan. So, ebverythmg should have been according to his plan do that there will be no threat for them.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Luke

I love Lucie’s song and I voted UK. I agree, BOTH jury and televote had their slips this year, as well as accomplishments. Finals – Jury robbed Croatia (my country), while televote robbed my favorites from the UK and Austria. Both jury and televote did not help Francesco win, though 🙁 Semis – Televote again almost cost Austria not to qualify, but juries did the right thing. However, televote saved Croatia and I will always be thankful for that. Moreover, it was in fact juries who wouldn’t let Finland into the finals, the fact I am still pissed about. But… Read more »

gj
gj
6 years ago

I guess you will get intimidated and get your passport revoked if you ever even think of placing Armenia in your jury top 10 in Azerbaijan and vice-versa.

Pollaski
6 years ago

Its hilarious that people are crying about the jury voting doing this when the televote did the exact same damn thing.

In fact, the juries were more fair- Hovig only got 7 points from the Armenian jury, while the televote got him the full 12.

Marc
Marc
6 years ago
Reply to  Pollaski

But televote is free to vote what they want. Juries should be professional.

At the end of the day, Top 5 (even Top 10) from televote is voted by everybody which is fair enough.

Pollaski
6 years ago
Reply to  Marc

DING! There is no criteria for televoting. You can vote for whoever you think is cutest, or based on whether you like the country or not, or any other asinine reasons. And we’re going to use that to decide 100% the contest? If this year was televoting only, Austria would have joined Cry Baby and I Am Yours in the annals of Eurovison nul pointers. Does that make sense in any way shape or form? I’m not letting a few bad apple jurors spoil the balance this contest desperately needs. Maybe 10% of jurors are incompetent/corrupt. That’s way less than… Read more »

tavanana
tavanana
6 years ago
Reply to  Pollaski

I know the perfect voting system doesn’t exist, but I say we demand harsh measures by banning countries who are so openly corrupt (in this case, Armenia and Azerbaijan) for one year, and see how they vote then. I know most people will not analyze the votes as we eurovision nerds do, but I can’t take it anymore. Juries need to cleaned out!

Racal
Racal
6 years ago

You guys focus on a couple of countries that have biased juries indeed, but most of the juries do their job correctly: – Norway gave their 12 to Bulgaria, not Sweden – Macedonia gave their 12 to Bulgaria, not Croatia – Belgium gave their 12 to Sweden, not the Netherlands – Montenegro gave their 12 to Greece, not Croatia – Germany gave their 12 to Norway, not Austria – Ireland gave their 12 to Belgium, not the UK – The UK gave their 12 to Portugal, not Australia – The Netherlands gave their 12 to Portugal, not Belgium … And… Read more »

Marc
Marc
6 years ago
Reply to  Racal

Juries from Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, Uk and Germany never vote politically. Other juries do.

The problem with juries (besides politics controversy) is that always the same countries are benefit from them.
And they always vote for boring manufacture songs.
Sweden with that song.. over 200?
Australia 4th?
And then Hungary only 17th? Belgium only 100 points? (And 13th in semi). Ridiculous.

Marc
Marc
6 years ago
Reply to  Racal

And they impact the winner in 2016, and specially in 2015.

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago
Reply to  Racal

People tend to notice the noise in the picture rather than the picture itself.
It’s a sort of confirmation bias. They count the ‘hits’ and disregard the ‘misses’.
In the end, Eurovision has rather rigorous voting mechanism which is very difficult to game. The antics of some particular countries can’t even begin to put a dent in the over arching storyline.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Racal

Bulgaria is actually a closer neighbor to Macedonia than Croatia is. While the voting is understandable, you can remove it from the list of those who didn’t vote for the obvious neighbor.

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago

The jury vote needs to go. Always the same patterns. Greece/Cyprus, Romania/Moldova, Nordic countries funneling points to big brother Sweden. Australia massively over rated, etc.
The tele vote also needs to go. Always the same patterns. Greece/Cyprus, Romania/Moldova, Nordic countries funneling points to big brother Sweden. The UK massively under rated, etc.
Why don’t we let Jan Ola pick the winner from a hat, just to keep it fair.

quince
quince
6 years ago

lol well spoken!

Maclaren
Maclaren
6 years ago

On a related note, two of the Ukrainean jurors placed Kristian 25th. Guess why…

Lolol
Lolol
6 years ago
Reply to  Maclaren

Anti-Bulgarian media reports. Not a month before the contest. Not a week before the contest. No, only a few DAYS before the contest they were heavily released. The media need to understand the power they have in such issues. If a Ukrainian juror hears that someone apparently (illegally) performed on Crimea, there is an automatic negative bias. In addition to that, he is only a KID. It is crazy to spread such stories about that. The commentators are sometimes horrible as well. I am from The Netherlands, and I remember correctly, Cornald Maas (commentator) felt he needed to highlight the… Read more »

indi
indi
6 years ago

Juries killed Finland and tried to kill Belgium, but they will not go away because somebody must push Australia, and because they make a good show with all those spoke persons. No problem, I like Cyprus and Greece.

Marc
Marc
6 years ago

Juries need to die.
They are biased for sure.

I though there’s a criteria called uniqueness and originality but juries are blind and deaf.

They sinked Moldova, Belgium or Hungary. It’s just ridiculous.

And they keep elevating the same boring manufacture stuff: Australia, Sweden, Netherlands etc. (I would say Bulgaria as well but televote loved it at least).

Again Malta would qualify thanks to juries.
Again Norway, Sweden and Denmark were lift by juries.
Again Australia was overrated by juries.

ESC Croatia Fan
ESC Croatia Fan
6 years ago

Juries need to go, let the Televote decide who wins.
The bias is too much…

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

And keep praying for televoting to return to Junior Eurovision! 😉

James
James
6 years ago

So you’d allow novelty acts to flourish in Eurovision once again as they did in between 1999-2008?

Lucy
Lucy
6 years ago

Hovig is fully Armenian,both his mother and father are Armenians

ak
ak
6 years ago

Something CAN be done about about this – just like surveys often minimize bias by eliminating the most extreme results. Considering the desired results are about consensus, an algorithm can be developed to dictate voiding threshold based on sharp deviation from this year voting by others and similarity to self past voting. But politically, it will take a much bigger scandal for the EBU to do this.

Tony KuKo
Tony KuKo
6 years ago

The EBU implemented the ranking system to make sure jurors don’t block an entry for getting points.
Coincidences happen but it is next to impossible that all 5 jurors from Azerbaijan and Armenia did not deliberate placed each other’s last. It all comes down to math.

The EBU should ask for detailed voting sheets from each member. Because these jurors did not rank the entries fairly. How do you get both countries in the bottom? Unless you deliberately placed them last.

And this been going on for years.

Johny
Johny
6 years ago
Reply to  Tony KuKo

That is normal given the hostility between Azerbaijan and Armenia.These countries really hate each other.You cannot ask a jury to vote for a country/its representative you really hate.Even a point.

Peace will come to this lands when Armenia ends occupation of Azerbaijani territories.

Me
Me
6 years ago
Reply to  Johny

You must be delusional.. knowing turkish terrorist tactics. Land grabbing and human slaughter. Armenians have been fighting for their land and for theid life for centuries.. and only an azeri turk could say Armenians should give their lands to terrorists.. why are you hiding your real name azeri…

Lolol
Lolol
6 years ago
Reply to  Tony KuKo

I agree a lot, as I though of this myself as well. It can be used if a country wants an explanation on a certain score they received, and this is way easier than going to the EBU.

Oscillate
Oscillate
6 years ago

The sad reality of all…EBU is oblivious of this POLITICS.

The only to correct a “mistake” is to acknowledge that there is a “mistake”. I am not hoping change will happen anytime soon.