On Monday Turkey’s Vice Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag sent Eurovision fans into a frenzy when he met with members of the press at TRT Headquarters.

Asked whether the government has any plans of returning to Eurovision in 2018, he confirmed that participation isn’t on the cards.

TRT Haber tweeted his comments, and soon deleted them. But not before a number of Turkish media sources and Eurovision fan sites published the news.

Analysis of the meeting has been somewhat scant, but noted Turkish journalist Ali Eyüboglu has offered some insights on his Instagram account, where he tries to explain the reasons why a Eurovision return for Turkey is unlikely.

Türkiye, yeniden @eurovision 'a kat?lacak m?? Son günlerde "Türkiye, #eurovision 'a kesin kat?lacak, sadece yar??maya hangi ?ark?c?yla gidece?i belli de?il" gibi bir alg? olu?turuldu. Hatta bu amaçla birçok anket yap?ld?, kiminden @aynuraydin kiminden @aleynatilkiofficial kiminden de @atiyed #birinci ç?kt?. Alg? ve anketler böyle de, gerçek ne peki? Konu, TRT yönetiminde görü?üldü ve toplant?dan ?imdilik ç?kan sonuç ?u: "Dile getirilen bu argümanlara göre, Eurovision ?ark? yar??mas?nda TRT’nin bugüne kadar kar?? durdu?u ve haks?z olarak nitelendirdi?i konularda herhangi bir ilerleme söz konusu olmam??t?r. Aksine, Türkiye’nin bugüne kadar ki ba?ar?lar?nda etkisinin büyük oldu?u bilinen televoting oylar?n?n sonuçlara etkisi yüzde 50’ye indirilmi?, di?er yüzde 50’nin ise ulusal jüri karar? ile belirlenece?i belirtilmi?tir. Ayr?ca yar??man?n ön kat?l?m ve nihai kat?l?m bedelleri oldukça yüksek olup, yar??ma kat?l?m giderleri gelirlerinden çok daha fazla bir maliyet do?urmaktad?r. Üstelik, kurucu 5 ülkenin do?rudan finale kat?lmas? da di?er bir adaletsizlik olarak görülmektedir." Bu tablodan benim anlad???m ?u: Bo? yere, "Eurovision'a o gitsin, bu gitsin" diye çene yormay?n. Bu ko?ullarda EUROVISION'U UNUTUN. @trt1

A post shared by Ali Eyübo?lu (@alieyubogluofficial) on

Eyüboglu, who is known to have friends in high places across government and entertainment through his work with a number of leading Turkish newspapers and magazines, shared a picture of the Eurovision and TRT logos with his 35,000 followers.

In the meaty caption he nodded to the endless speculation over whether Turkey will return to the contest — and who its contestant might be.

“Will Turkey come back to Eurovision?” he writes. “In recent days there have been rumours that Turkey will participate and that they are even in talks to choose the singer.”

“[There have been] polls on social media, where some say Aynur Aydin, some say Aleyna Tilki and some say Atiye should represent the country. This is what’s been spoken, but what is the truth?”

Eyüboglu then revisits many of the arguments that diehard Eurovision fans already know. He cites three principle issues that keep Turkey away. Under these conditions, he writes, fans should just “forget Eurovision”.

(1) “According to the arguments of TRT, there hasn’t been any change on voting rules that Turkey is opposed to.”

Translation: Turkey does better with televoters than with the jury and feels that juries mark it down.

For instance, in 2009, Turkey’s Hadise earned 12 points from televoters in nine countries. But only one jury — Azerbaijan — gave her its top points.

In 2011 the Turkish band Yüksek Sadakat failed to make the final. While the televoting public ranked them 10th, the juries put them down in 12th — sealing their fate.

(2) “The cost of pre-confirmation and participation in the show is too high for TRT.”

In recent years a number of countries — from Bosnia & Herzegovina to Ukraine — have had to withdraw owing to financial difficulties. But more often than not they sort out their financial issues and return to the contest.

Turkey — which has been absent for five consecutive years — seems to take issue with its fee, which the EBU decides based on a number of factors including potential viewers. Given that Turkey’s 80 million people make it larger than any other participating nation except Russia and Germany, its fee is probably quite hefty. At the very least it’s bigger than TRT deems fair.

(3) “The Big 5 seems to be another injustice for TRT.”

The first two points lead quite naturally to this one. TRT feels that juries are biased against it. Then, adding insult to injury, they have to pay a hefty fee based on their population. And then, despite being larger than Big 5 nations France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain, they are not guaranteed a spot in the final.

Critics of Turkey’s position will point out that Russia — by far the biggest country in Europe with a population of more than 140 million — isn’t in the Big 5 either. And it’s pretty clear juries have a tendency to penalise its acts. The best way of guaranteeing a spot in the final is to send a strong act.

Eurovision 2018 rumours

This year’s rumour mill seemed to churn faster and with more force than in recent years.

As we previously reported, Sertab Erener fuelled speculation that Turkey would return during a recent Instagram Live session.

“How do you feel about being the first Turkish woman who won Eurovision?” she was asked.

“What can I say..I’m very happy. I think TRT will start participating again next year at the Eurovision — I mean we as a country will participate. And that’s what I’m telling you from here. I hope the one who represents us will win the contest.”

Turkey’s 2010 representative maNga later posted a cryptic message on Twitter: “Eurovision again and again?” they asked.

Fans quickly interpreted this as a sign that Turkey — and indeed maNga — would be making a comeback.

They subsequently issued a denial, saying that their message had been misinterpreted.

In any case, that’s what a prominent Turkish journalist thinks. What do YOU think? Do you think Turkey was mistreated during its final years at Eurovision? Are they right to stay away in protest? Let us know in the comments box below.

Read more Turkey Eurovision news

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Georgi
Georgi
5 years ago

y’all know that this is a matter of politics so even If you hated turkey’s entries stop bashing the country when it’s the government that hinders it to come back. Guess what a lot of turkish people and artists would love to participate in eurovision again
spreading hate over something that the country and it’s artists have no control over doesn’t make you or your country any better

dan
dan
5 years ago

So basically behind all the excuses it’s down to the arrogance of Erdogan not being able to cope with not winning. Typical authoritarian crackpot not being able to fix the results.

Cameron
Cameron
6 years ago

It’s a very bad excuse and if the poorest countures in Europe such as Moldova, Macedonia, and Albania compete every year and don’t get good results then why can’t Turkey just come back because those thre (Albania, Moldova and Macedonia) don’t usually qualify and never complain about the big 5.

Christian
Christian
6 years ago

Won’t miss them. Sorry not sorry.

Are they only mad because of the juries? Because they keep avoiding giving 12 points from Germany to Turkey every and every year? Never understood the hype about their songs. Sertab deserved to win but I don’t like any of their newer songs.

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
6 years ago

I don’t really mind Turkey not coming back. If they want to come back, they need to stop behaving like sore losers and start accepting the fact that no country can succeed every single year, not even Russia. Otherwise, as someone already said, bye Felicia!

Richardinho
Richardinho
6 years ago

I don’t think the big 5 care that they are almost guaranteed to always lose. As long as they are in the final, they will get ratings at home, and that’s what counts, not winning the actual thing.

Sal
Sal
6 years ago

‘not happy with the voting system’? you mean, the voting system that only reduced your diaspora vote by around 25%? hahahah please give me a break, Turkey. If this is your attitude then your guaranteed top 5 position every year will not be missed and more deserving entries can have a chance

Cheeky Nando
Cheeky Nando
6 years ago

Well that’s a shame. Turkey was one of my favourite countries in Eurovision, first year I watched was 2003 when Sertab won.

I think it’s clear Erdogan is the roadblock he wants to transform turkey in an eastward looking Arab state, rather than the westward looking European state of Ataturk.

As for the Big 5 they all pay more than Russia and turkey. The funding formula is based on GDP.

Maclaren
Maclaren
6 years ago

I am for the big five to stay. It is like… Grand Prix of Monaco or Monza in formula one. The legends, the patriarchs, the corner stones.

New tracks, billion investments come to formula one every year and it is great to have GP of Azerbaijan, GP of Emirates, etc. But GP of Monaco deserves to be there just because it is GP of Monaco. Half a century of history, tradition, loyalty to good sport.

Same for big five here for me. Sorry, Turkey, love you but i am on a different side of the argument here.

say yaaaaayyyyy
say yaaaaayyyyy
6 years ago
Reply to  Maclaren

but there is a price to pay for this arrogance –
– Spain (26)) and Germany(25) = last places
– France(12) and UK(15) – lower than they were expecting
– Italy – do I need to say more? Italy should have won…..6th?…
occidentali’s karma
If you are happy…keep doing that.

Toinousse
Toinousse
6 years ago

You’re occulting that france was 6 last year, Italy gets in the top 10 all the time, Germany won in 2010 and got a top 10 ranking the year after. When big 5 send good songs, they’re not handicaped by their status. And it’s not arrogance it’s logic. Big 5 has to pay huge fees to keep the contest going, if you want to remove the big 5, then you will make small countries withdray because they would have to pay a higher fee.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

Hadise got low points from the juries because she couldn’t sing live. That’s the cold hard truth.

Terry Coetez
Terry Coetez
6 years ago

Thank you for the post!!

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

And about the Big 5: Do they think they should be straight to the final because they’re larger than other Big 5 nations? Sth like, why are they to the final and we aren’t? That’s ridiculous. Maybe because they pay the most money and maybe because they are among the very first countries which have participated in this contest?

Lucy
Lucy
6 years ago
Reply to  AngieP

They pay the most money and it allows the smaller countries to pay, likely if one of the big 5 dropped out, the fees for the smaller countries would be higher

Toinousse
Toinousse
6 years ago
Reply to  Lucy

Exactly their huge fees allow small countries like San marino or Albania to participate, and when you pay such amounts you deserve to have good ratings and be in the final. I would be ok with my country (France) not being in the final anymore, but then it would be fair for us to pay less, and you would see small countries withdrawing.

Stan
Stan
6 years ago

I don’t mind Turkey is gone. I was always annoyed when my country gave huge scores to a mediocre song that represents one of our biggest minorities… If Turkey sent a turkey, they’d still get huge scores from the televote…

But I agree that their main issue is probably not the voting system, but the rainbow flags which don’t belong in a country that is run by a religious islam party…

Kris
Kris
6 years ago
Reply to  Stan

But Dustin the Turkey had failed to qualify??

Lucy
Lucy
6 years ago
Reply to  Stan

Turkey have sent some good songs, ones that I understand why they’re in the final, but not always worthy of the result. Like in 2012, I never understood why it did so well (other than its Turkey). It feels like they just aren’t happy that they weren’t Top 5. As for the Big 5, it took them 12 years to finally complain about it? I think it only became a real issue for them once they failed to qualify and weren’t getting Top 5.

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

Generally, no I don’t think they’ve been treated unfairly at all. Turkey is one of the most successful nation the last decade.

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

About the voting: This is ridiculous! I mean… Turkey was top 10 most of the times. If it wasn’t for the juries, they would have been higher or even won again. The juries are supposed to keep things balanced and be objective. (it doesn’t always happen but that’s another discussion.) Not to mention their big diaspora across Europe.So why are they complaining? Because they don’t have only the televote to place them top 5 every time, whatever the song.

About the cost: Ok, I can understand that. Other countries have this problem too from time to time.

Mark
Mark
6 years ago

No loss. Turkey never sent any good songs anyway.

Nickc
Nickc
6 years ago
Reply to  Mark

This is your personal opinion, but it is not always about quality, it is sometimes about coming together, building bridges, celebrating diversity, and being one, under the same sky. Or at least that’s what I thought

Geo
Geo
6 years ago

They will eventually come back, some day… Like Italy did after a long break I’m sure Turkey will come back, too…

canarus
canarus
6 years ago

Big 5 is weird and not transparent. I’ll ask why no new countries joins Big 5 (Russia, Australia), to become Big 6 or Big 7. It is weird to keep the same 5 countries pretending it’s for the good of the show. I’m sure Putin wants Russia to be in Big 6. Azerbaijan will pay anything to be in Big 7. Australia will do anything to secure a place in Big 8. The truth is that we know nothing about Big 5.

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  canarus

Are you serious? What money does Russia have? They’ve lost billions from the US sanctions. Azerbaijan can’t even give their citizens clean drinking water and Australia’s Broadcaster has been having to fire their employees because of budget cuts. Smarten up.

Alison
Alison
6 years ago

Oh boohoo. See ya Turkey!

IceCream
IceCream
6 years ago

Dear Turkey.. The big 5 are not about who’s the biggest Country but who supports the Contest the most in a financial way what makes the ‘Money/ not big 5’ – complain of Turkey more than funny. If the Big 5 wouldn’t exist the Contest would be a lot more expensive for the others and if the Contest is already to much of a financial issue for TRT why would you want to be part of the Big5 or abolish them?

brunowskii
brunowskii
6 years ago

Turkey can go away with its cheesy Turkvizyon forever… it won’t never be Europe

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  brunowskii

Double negative.

Every Turk I know identifies as European.

Nickc
Nickc
6 years ago
Reply to  Mark

I am Turkish, but I identify myself as Asian as much as I identify myself European.I think this is the flavour we are offering. I understand that it is not everybody s taste but the posts here are pure hate speech, no matter what you claim

azaad
azaad
6 years ago

The main issue isn’t financial but political- the current Turkish government do not look kindly on Eurovision, due in part to Erdogan’s more religious outlook (I am Muslim myself so I don’t mean this as a criticism of Islam, just an observation) and Turkey’s international reputation being more sullied as time goes on due to an increasingly draconian government. While they don’t appreciate the juries for dampening their high diaspora televote, I’m sure Turkey wouldn’t try to get them banned especially when they came 2nd in 2010.

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  azaad

I agree with everything you’ve said. It’s said that so many people have such a narrow world view that they can’t understand Geo-Politics.

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

I don’t care for Turkey tbh……I want Slovakia to be back.

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  Kris

Slovakia needs to get to the final like how Czech Rep. did in 2016.

Ern
Ern
6 years ago

In other words, TRT is bankrupt.

Anyway, if Turkey returned, I’m not so sure they’d do all that well anymore. Consider how Greece & Azerbaijan have been doing the past few years. Turkey would probably be in that same category.

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  Ern

Not only that, Azerbaijan and Turkey would split the diaspora vote, thus dragging each other down further.

Mr.IT.
Mr.IT.
6 years ago

Feeling just FRUSTRATION nothing more :'(((( My all-time-fave ESC song is from 97 was sung by a delicate lady in a black dress, so naive so powerful. I mean Sebnem Pakker’s Dinle… And so, Turkey has a constant place in my heart…

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

Hmm. We have poorer and smaller countries than Turkey competing, countries like Moldova, Albania. They seem to afford to compete every year.
And Macedonia hasn’t been in a final since 2012, do they complain about juries, Big 5 and what not? No, they just carry on competing!
Bad excuses..

This only makes Turkey look like a incredibly sour bitter loser who can’t cope with “not doing well”

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Bye.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago

DEAR TURKEY,

YOU WILL NOT BE MISSED! Hahaha I’m actually quite happy they will be out. Their 2012 entry was pure garbage and I have no idea how it came 7th. And, Turkey left Eurovision to start the mess that’s called Turkeyvision which we all saw failed quite miserably. I also wish EBU would make a flag policy where the countries that are not participating, their flags should not be allowed in the arena like they do with “not-recognized” countries.

Susanna
Susanna
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Dear Eurovision fans, We have a lot of to learn from this comment. This is what a real Eurovision fan should not to be. Eurovision is about being together, feeling each other.Thats why it was invented years ago. Its not about only music, its not only a music contest. And dear Ron, Hate brings hate. Step by step. This is where all hate and discrimination comes from. Racism, sexism, vandalism all have one same origin and connected with each other. Fight against all of them or accept all of them. Remember, accepting one brings another, you dont have a right… Read more »

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  Susanna

You are over reacting. He didn’t say anything racist.

Rashad
Rashad
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Dear Ron,

The flags of unrecognized countries are banned because they are provocative and often represent occupied territories of some other countries. Claiming the the Turkish flag has to be banned too is the pure result of your hatred towards this country. And yes, Turkey is being missed by lots of Eurovision fans.

It’s obvious why you dislike Turkey so much. Don’t you think it’s time to leave all the politics and history behind when it comes to Eurovision?

Charles
Charles
6 years ago

Bye Felicia!

James
James
6 years ago

The funny thing is that they still did well in the years following the return of the juries.

Charles
Charles
6 years ago
Reply to  James

… but they feel that only public understands the load of ethnic pop rubbish that they tended to send … because what we public know about music? Nothing … a professional jury hurts their feelings and the idea that their 2003 only happened because, we the public, did not know better.

Nickc
Nickc
6 years ago
Reply to  Charles

And juries love Poland, who always brings high quality music, is that right Charles?

ct_greece
ct_greece
6 years ago

I wonder if Turkey ever returned, would they face a barrage of outraged rainbow-flag protests for breaking up gay prides over the last three years and arresting the participants like ESC fandom has been doing in the case of Russia? Or would double standards prevail yet again?

Nickc
Nickc
6 years ago

Although I hate the Turkey bashing by neo nazis below every Turkey related article, I have to admit, they are right about one thing, these are just excuses, and we will not come back until there is a government change.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  Nickc

People bash Turkey because Turkey deserved to be bashed. And, you’re the last people to speak of “nazism” when nazis literally took the idea of ethnic genocide from Turks.

Nickc
Nickc
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Say this to diplomats killed by asala, or workers burned in solingen.

Lanti
6 years ago

How does the EBU determine participation fees for each country? Do they do it by audience numbers or..?

Justin K.
6 years ago
Reply to  Lanti

Most likely. They probably adjust it based on the host nation’s proposed budget and audience share (and/or how much in fees/taxes they pay for their media).

Turkey’s definitely a force to be reckoned with if they were to come back with their strong ethnic identity in their music (as they did before), and could overcome the juries with a strong televote (as Hungary, Romania, and Belgium did this past year) for a solid Top 10 finish.

Erasmus
Erasmus
6 years ago

Oh come on I don’t think it’s that expensive. I mean if F.Y.R Macedonia and Moldova can participate and they don’t get good results, that don’t complain about big 5, and they still participate…, and they are poorer and smaller countries than Turkey. These are just bad excuses.

That Greek Girl
That Greek Girl
6 years ago

Oh damn, I really wanted Turkey to come back. ?

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

Bye, I guess.