On Tuesday afternoon Sweden revealed the eight countries that will help judge Melodifestivalen — its Eurovision 2021 national final. But by Tuesday evening producers had revealed that they were dropping Belarus from the mix.

In a statement sent through its Melodifestivalen account, the broadcaster said:

“Due to the current situation in Belarus, Melodifestivalen has decided to replace Belarus as a jury group in the final. Instead, the UK will participate as one of the eight jury groups.”

Karin Gunnarsson, competition producer for Melodifestivalen, added that it had been “the wrong decision” to select Belarus as part of the international jury in the first place.

She said: “The situation for free media is very serious in the country. We have therefore chosen to replace the jury group from Belarus with a jury group from the UK.”

The international juries make up 50% of the overall score. The other 50% comes from the televote. In the event of a tie, the people’s vote decides the winner.

Why has Sweden removed Belarus’ jury now?

Sweden cites the “current situation” and a lack of media freedom. This clearly refers to the ongoing crackdown of peaceful demonstrators who continue to speak out against police brutality and President Alexander Lukashenko. You’ll remember that he was re-elected in elections that have been widely condemned by the international community, including by the European Union.

Since October 2020, the EU has progressively imposed restrictions on Belarus and levelled sanctions against people it says are “responsible for repression and intimidation” against protestors.

The Council of the European Union says: “The measures were adopted in response to the Belarusian authorities’ unacceptable violence against peaceful protesters, intimidation, arbitrary arrests and detentions, following the August 2020 presidential elections.”

“The EU does not recognise results of the Belarus elections, condemning them as neither free, nor fair.”

Today’s announcement from Sweden came just hours after Belarus’ state-run broadcaster revealed its controversial and divisive Eurovision 2021 entry.

120 Comments
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Sigh
Sigh
3 years ago

Good move, but dissapointing that Karin was defending having the belarussian jury in the first place.

Jake
Jake
3 years ago

We may have 0 taste, but we have 58 points to give out in May.

mhmm
mhmm
3 years ago

I agree with the move, but changing the jury to yet another western country makes no sense if they want to have a diverse voice with the juries however. Now they have basically almost no eastern countries represented in the juries, thus giving a bad representation that could eventually showcase itself in May. Also, EBU, ban Belarusian dictatorship broadcaster this year, what are you waiting for? I mean now you’re even going to accept an entry that is openly mocking the tortured people of Belarus and ask people to enslave to the dictatorship? Don’t you have any morals EBU and… Read more »

Dani
Dani
3 years ago

And you’re basing that off what exactly?
Israel is far more humane than most of the Eastern European countries, as equal human rights are given to all minorities, but it is victim for biased media outlets that deliberately give them a bad name while hypocritically ignoring what’s happening in neighbouring countries.

Dani
Dani
3 years ago
Reply to  Dani

The UN is far from being a reliable or value-driven organisation. It is overrun by many countries that exploit for their own agendas.
Anyway, I don’t want to start a political debate, and even if You’ve been right it doesn’t change Belarus’ case.

Erik
Erik
3 years ago
Reply to  Dani

Oh MY!!! The UN is not political other than the permanent members of security council has veto that makes it almost impossible to criticise themselves. (Hmm, smells a bit like ESC….). Both Israel and Belarus violate human rights that is not a political statement.

Saul Browne
3 years ago

Are the Juries formed by someone from the BBC,KAN,RUV etc of just random people from those countries

Denis
Denis
3 years ago
Reply to  Saul Browne

Same as in ESC: They work in the industry

Somebody
Somebody
3 years ago

Drop international jury votes to 25%.

Denis
Denis
3 years ago
Reply to  Somebody

No, why? 50 % is the fairest. That way no group get the leverage

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago

Where SVT leads…

Hada
Hada
3 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

From your keyboard to EBU’s eyes

Denis
Denis
3 years ago

I get why it was but dont it make more sense to replace it with a country thats close to Belarus geographically? Cause the point with these juries is that they represent blocks, similar to ESC. With Belarus gone there is no eastern country represented which I dont think is the point.

Hada
Hada
3 years ago
Reply to  Denis

I think SVT’s point was to put out that fire as quickly as possible. The UK answered their e-mail or call first, so the UK it is.

Jshy
Jshy
3 years ago

I really hope Dotter or Eric win!

kir
kir
3 years ago

Unlike British entries, the UK juries are really professional and almost unbiased (Georgia 2016 was so British, they totally deserved this douze-points). So taking into account their opinion is righfully justified.

RennyWest
RennyWest
3 years ago

*slow clap*

Dimos
Dimos
3 years ago

I can now see why they’re not picking my country, Greece as part of their jury either. The situation concerning free media has been almost as bad as in Belarus is the past few weeks. The fake news have been constant, trying to give the impression that the citizens should be blamed for everything that’s going wrong, whereas everything is the government’s fault. We are in the middle of a huge crisis, and I don’t mean the economic one (not only that one, at least)

Last edited 3 years ago by Dimos
Dimitris
Dimitris
3 years ago
Reply to  Dimos

Exactly! They blame especially the young people, because they didn’t vote them…All this police brutality has peaked during this week, but the media present a different picture because they get so much money from the government. No money for the support of the public health system, only hirings of policemen.

Seems like democracy will start dying from its birthplace…

Last edited 3 years ago by Dimitris
Ian
Ian
3 years ago

I think people are missing the point in inviting Belarus in the first place.Sweden always invites juries from different geographical regions.
Albania/Balkans, Cyprus/Mediterranean, France/West Eu, Iceland/Scandi, Swiss/Central EU etc… Belarus was the Eastern Europe spot but they definitely could have invited Ukraine/Romania instead….

vlv
vlv
3 years ago

Wow. Thank you, Sweden!

Popeye Spinach
Popeye Spinach
3 years ago

Are you suggesting that Lithuanian Eurovision Professionals should be invited instead? 😀
P.s SWE invites 6 random countries each year, Not based on their performance on ESC,

Last edited 3 years ago by Popeye Spinach
Leo
Leo
3 years ago

I mean why didn’t Belarus just send something like what they sent to jesc this year??

Vladimir P.
Vladimir P.
3 years ago

An East European country replaced by UK? Good job! (sarcasm)

Coco
Coco
3 years ago
Reply to  Vladimir P.

If only UK would know anything about ESC.

Skantch
Skantch
3 years ago
Reply to  Coco

12 pts go to… Samir & Victor! A winner in my book!

sam
sam
3 years ago

good for sweden. but why was belarus invited to be a jury member nation in the first place? pretty odd choice.

anyways this is offtopic but i feel like melodifestivalen should add 1 more qualifier from andra chansen from the 7-5th place songs in the semis and whoever charts the highest is the one who goes DTF… the ultimate second chance maybe?

Erik
Erik
3 years ago
Reply to  sam

The got invited because they did not think clear. Then they changed their mind because of national criticism of the decision.

Pancake
Pancake
3 years ago

I literally cringed so hard on the Belarussian entry, and it didn’t help when I read the English lyrics. Thank you Sweden for doing the right thing by deplatforming Belarus off the jury panel. Now, I guess the next step is for the EBU to take action and kick Belarus out.

Also, stream VAL

Popeye Spinach
Popeye Spinach
3 years ago

Well done, Sweden! At least some countries are acting right!
?Due to the current situation in Belarus, Melodifestivalen has decided to replace Belarus as a jury group in the final. Instead, the UK will participate as one of the eight jury groups.

Coco
Coco
3 years ago

This year has so many songs that have equal chances. I love it. Anybody can win. Is like 2011.

Esc addict
Esc addict
3 years ago

For saturday I think Tusse can win but I hope the victory of the Mamas!

Last edited 3 years ago by Esc addict
Esc addict
Esc addict
3 years ago

Me I’m not feeling Switzerland but Malta and Uk yes I’ve high hopes, but I’m already satisfied cause I’ve already 3 favourites for this Eurovision.
And let’s see Iceland…

Jonny
Jonny
3 years ago

The link of the “Council of Europe“ leads to the European Council. The Council of Europe is different from the European Council. The EC is part of the EU and the CE isn’t

Azuro
Azuro
3 years ago

What were Belarus doing there in the first place?

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Azuro

Judging music as music, supposedly.

Ian
Ian
3 years ago
Reply to  Azuro

Swedes tries to invite countries from all regions. Belarus was the Eastern European spot but they could have certainly invited Ukraine/Latvia etc instead

Kalla
Kalla
3 years ago

Not sure why I am reading so much hate for UK being on the jury panel. I am shocked that Belarus would of been picked as a jury vote over UK in the first place. Yes not all entries have been good, but it’s not about that. The UK has one of the best music industries in the world, let alone Europe. So I’m sure there are some pretty esteemed experts that can form a jury.

Last edited 3 years ago by Kalla
Skantch
Skantch
3 years ago
Reply to  Kalla

Last time we were giving jury scores at Melfest, Samir & Victor got our 12pts. I don’t think it went down so well! ?

GrantK
GrantK
3 years ago

That’s Arvingarna getting 12 points then lol.

the
the
3 years ago

this is the right cause. Belarus is murdering its population. It’s a dictatorship. Shpuld not be allowed to be in esc

Helen
3 years ago
Reply to  the

agree, but Russia has dictatorship too and murdering own people for decades, and even worse , they annexed lands from neighbors and started war in Eastern Ukraine, killed thousands people there, it still goes btw, but nobody cares…
both shouldn’t be allowed to be in esc in that case

Last edited 3 years ago by Helen
Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Helen

Eurovision is a dialogue, built on the idea that a shared cultural platform is a progressive act. That dialogue works best by including as many people and countries as possible, rather than only sharing with those select few you happen to agree with in a given moment. You could find a reason to ban every country, if you wanted to. It’s right to hold countries/people to account but it’s also necessary to have opportunities to let go of grudges and break bread and show that it’s possible to build bridges when different sides open up and come together. Imagine being… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by Jimmy Smit
Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy Smit

We don’t even always need to use Russia as the example for homophobia, when only sixteen of 2021’s forty countries have marriage equality.

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

I was using the example Helen started with—but yes, there’s room for improvement across so many countries. The Russian political and legal context has been particularly pernicious and nasty for LGBT people though.

Last edited 3 years ago by Jimmy Smit
Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy Smit

I was trying to agree with you…

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

I realise that…sorry if I seemed disagreeable Jonas…

I just…it’s not just marriage equality that’s at stake in Russia—it’s public hangings of gay men and women, it’s beatings at pride events without police support, its trans people attacked in public and no one helps them, it’s teachers being sacked for their private life, the list goes on and on.

Last edited 3 years ago by Jimmy Smit
Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy Smit

Absolutely awful. Evil. Homophobia causes death everywhere, and needs to be gotten rid of everywhere.

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

What’s the origin of your profile picture, Jonas? Is it Dorian Gray?

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy Smit

No, it’s an Egon Schiele self-portrait – or at least part of it…

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

It’s a striking self-portrait, and an interesting choice for you…what about his work strikes a chord with you?

Last edited 3 years ago by Jimmy Smit
Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy Smit

I just like how he was an obsessive non-conformist, a bit like myself. I love a lot of the colourful stuff from that time in Vienna, Gustav Klimt would be my favourite. You might consider getting a profile picture yourself…I’d tell you how if only I could remember.

Migs
Migs
3 years ago

This is getting too political… ESC should be about music regardless of the background. Years ago was Russia, then Australia being in was also a “problem”, then Ukraine, now Cypriots unhappy with a non religious song, Belarus politics….. Internal country issues will always exist. But EBU should keep to what the ESC is about: a song competition.

Darren
Darren
3 years ago
Reply to  Migs

But the political issue has spilled over into the contest by Belarus themselves. Entering this incredibly cheap attempt.

This year would have been quite apolitical actually if Belarus hadn’t gone and done that to themselves.

Milla
Milla
3 years ago

Strange choice to pick Belarus from the very beginning. But it’s also a weird choice to pick The UK. They have only agreed with our winners once and that was John Lundvik. Should also have been a country from the east.

Denis
Denis
3 years ago
Reply to  Milla

Lol, remember them giving Sean Banan 12 points in 2013:)

Darren
Darren
3 years ago

The first good step.
Hopefully the EBU follows suit, ridiculous if that cr@p makes it to Rotterdam in its current state.

canada_piano
canada_piano
3 years ago

i thought the song wasnt bad at first, but after reading the lyrics…

whoo boy, was i wrong

nycforever
nycforever
3 years ago

I’m trying to understand how the Swedes even included them in the jury in the beginning, given the situation in the country

jack
jack
3 years ago

one of the greatest question in eurovision culture is about the juries in melofidestivalen. Who are they? how many members they have? why some random foreigners have equal say with swedish citizens on a swedish show? i guess we ll never now

Merty
Merty
3 years ago
Reply to  jack

They are gathered with the same requirements as the esc-jurys and if I remember correctly, they consist of the same number of people. I once listened to a podcast with Christer Björkman where he explained that he usually pick and choose the countries every year, with the help of his contacts created throughout the years as head of deligation. I can’t quote him since it was a long time ago I listened to it, but I think he stated that most broadcasters in ESC are eager to be a part of the Mello jury, and therefore they gather qualified people… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by Merty
Kalla
Kalla
3 years ago
Reply to  jack

I would say in an international jury may promote a more widely like song in Europe that would do well at at Eurovision, rather than just perform well in their native chart rankings. TIX v KEiiNO springs to mind.

Denis
Denis
3 years ago
Reply to  jack

The juries are there to get a hint at what could work at ESC, to balance the audience vote who is more about who Swedes wants. The criteria is the same as for ESC: 5 members coposed of people working in the business, voting on the dress rehearsal show the night before,

Paul
Paul
3 years ago

If we’re using “current situation” as a reason to not include a country – I’m not sure the UK are exactly the best replacement!!

Aan Gomes Branco
Aan Gomes Branco
3 years ago
Reply to  Paul

hmmmm a democratic country or a dictatorship hmmmm which should i choose?

GrantK
GrantK
3 years ago
Reply to  Paul

Meaning? Come on back it up

Monika
Monika
3 years ago

Same boring juries every year, SVT is afraid of some diversity. I think some countries were never invited to be international juries (Azerbaijan, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, San Marino…) Only neighbourly love every year from the Nordic countries and let’s not forget the Big 5 + Australia, that are tickled by Sweden every year, just to get some votes from them in the final. But guess what, the televoting will punish Sweden like usual, for all this lack of objectivity!

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Monika

Believe it or not, San Marino was invited to judge back in 2011. That was a weird year because it was the same spokesperson for every country.

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

I kinda preferred that, rather than flying everyone to Stockholm and then pretending they’re in their own countries. I don’t know if they’re able to do that this year – I can see Lynda Woodruff giving the UK results…

Preuss
Preuss
3 years ago
Reply to  Monika

Honestly, as a Norwegian, I find it highly annoying that people seem to believe that we reward Sweden every year with a lot of points as if there’s some unconditional love going on. Remember 2016 when we gave our 12 points to Italy and 0 points to Sweden? And guess what – televote doesn’t punish Sweden, people are just not voting for them, but you make it sound like people have a secret agenda and grudge for not voting for Sweden in Eurovision. And Sweden’s like the 3rd most successful country when it comes to the televote lol

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Preuss

Nordic countries play hardball all the time. I remember the irony of Sweden not getting 12 from Norway after they joked about it in “The Story of Eurovision.” None of the Nordic countries voted for Hatari, either, and most of them didn’t vote for Rasmussen.

Preuss
Preuss
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

I mean, there are sure voting patterns and historical voting going on, as applies for all other countries, but we don’t blindly vote for each other no matter what. And Eurovision is rather old now that I usually only take into consideration how countries have voted for, let’s say, the past 5-10 years

Impressive Instants
Impressive Instants
3 years ago

Albania will probably give Charlotte 12 points and Arvingarna 10 points considering how they vote.

Joe
Joe
3 years ago

If only “Rama Rama Ding Dong” made the final, then we wouldn’t even be wondering.

Sean
3 years ago

The Albanian jury were so iconic… Giving Euro Neuro and the Toppers 10 points and the Social Network Song 8, and saving Fabrizio Faniello and Dervish from nul points… We have no choice but to stan

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Sean

They gave Euro Neuro TWELVE POINTS

Sean
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Oh dear I got that wrong! Rambo 12 and Valentina 10! Then they started voting vaguely normally. Needed some light relief after the news of the bus accident I suppose.

Joe
Joe
3 years ago

Then don’t send Austria. They’ll vote backwards!

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Although to be fair, if there’s any country I’d worry about accidentally voting upside-down, it’d be Australia.

Andi
Andi
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

What does “voting backwards” mean exactly?

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Andi

In the wrong order

Lorenzo Celli
Lorenzo Celli
3 years ago

This is just the start. Applauding for Sweden for this decision

Escvegi
Escvegi
3 years ago

Thanks God! #BoycottBelarus

Joe
Joe
3 years ago

I hadn’t even noticed. Good for them! The UK usually votes well at Melfest (I will be forever grateful to the 10 points to Arvingarna a few years back).

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Although there IS a certain irony to them more or less saying, “We’ve gotta replace Belarus with a country that isn’t politically contentious in any way at the moment…I got it! The UK!”

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

They gave ABBA zero points, though – admittedly 47 years ago, but maybe those people are still around.

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Oh, at Eurovision is a different story. The British jury’s snubbed the likes of “The Voice,” “Soldi,” and “Fuego” and they gave eight points to “The Dream.” Nobody’s perfect.

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

(On the other hand, they’ve also given 12 to the likes of “Midnight Gold,” “Amar pelos dois,” “Amen,” “In Love for a While,” and “Proud,” they’re second in having the best track record of picking the winner behind Israel as I recall, and their backup juries gave 12 points to “Czvet z juga” and “Senhora do mar,” which I have nothing but respect for).

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

If I’m remembering correctly:
UK – 1975, 1979, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 (Jury) (17 times – no points to the winners in 1983, 1990, 1996, 2007, 2008, or 2011. Technically, under the hybrid system, they also would’ve given 12 to Israel in 2018).
Israel – 1975, 1976, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1989, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016 (Jury), 2017 (Jury and Televote), 2019 (Jury) (OK, so also 17! Nifty. No points to the winners in 1992 or 2010).

dygh
dygh
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

In no universe did you remember this but great info nonetheless

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  dygh

You’d be surprised

Sean
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Don’t forget 12 points to Miss Kiss Kiss Bang in 2009… Not always so accurate ?

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Sean

Even Graham Norton was incredulous. And then the jury didn’t even vote for Satellite the next year.

SpirK
SpirK
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Do we have exact results of backup juries from 2007 and 2008?

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  SpirK

Check Wikipedia

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

100% true. Although the British jury vote in 2016 was as close as any jury’s ever come to being my exact top ten:
12 – Georgia
10 – Ukraine
8 – Australia
7 – Cyprus
6 – France
5 – Bulgaria
4 – Lithuania
3 – Israel
2 – Serbia
1 – Croatia
Swap in the Netherlands and Belgium for Lithuania and Croatia and that’s almost exactly my top ten.

Denis
Denis
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

UK has never in fact given the Mello winner any high remarks and sort of always gives 12 to the weirdest acts. Sean Banan in 2013 for example. Meanwhile Måns got 6 and Loreen the same. Something is indeed off:)

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Which is funny bc they gave both Måns and Loreen 12 points at the actual contest.

Nicolas
Nicolas
3 years ago

So Sweden has only discovered now the political situation with Belarus ? Why have choose Belarus jury in the first place ? It’s kind of a hypocrite and opportunistic decision to manipulate the votes. Of course it has to be the UK who will vote for the most generic english songs.
Not defending Belarus of course but here it’s Sweden playing politics.

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Nicolas

Methinks they very arbitrarily find countries from different “blocs” to vote (Balkan country, Eastern country, Western country, the host country, another Nordic country, usually but not this year one of the Baltic countries, etc). They must’ve randomly decided Belarus should be the obligatory Eastern country (although now they don’t even have that).

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

It could’ve just as easily been Armenia or Russia or Georgia. Not usually Azerbaijan or Moldova, though.

nycforever
nycforever
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Yes, and they chose Belarus instead. WTF?

mad-professor
mad-professor
3 years ago
Reply to  Nicolas

Those generic English-language songs like… Norrsken.

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago

They’ve realized their mistake and made changes, good for them. I’d still like to know who these jurors actually are, especially when they have only three days notice. They have so much power.

Craig
Craig
3 years ago

Haha it’s not because of the awful song release today then ?!

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Craig

They’re like, “if the broadcaster decides the entry, no way in hell are we trusting their taste in music.”

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
3 years ago

off-topic but australia just released their music video and it’s the Mardi Gras performance, but somehow to me it sounds so much better than what it seemed before? like, the vocal seems cleaner, not perfect, but good. it’s just weird because it didn’t sound this good before, but this doesn’t sound particularly edited to me

Pandaman
Pandaman
3 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

Maybe they used the video of the performance, but edited the studio cut in?

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
3 years ago
Reply to  Pandaman

it didn’t sound quite like the studio version tho, it sounded live but as if it was a different live version

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
3 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

oh, thanks for letting me know!

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

Yes, that’s exactly what I thought. And on reflection, I think she does a great job considering she has no backing vocalists or pre-recorded vocals.

Sale
Sale
3 years ago

Well I know it’s gonna be hard with the juries but I really hoper Clara wins it. She has been gaining momentum with the public in Sweden with over 1m streams on spotify (4th overall even ahead the Mamas), but I guess the juries will drag her down when it comes to them cause it’s in Swedish but having the Swedish language in the contest would be a great addition to it! Hope she somehow wins it!

Rasmus
Rasmus
3 years ago

Very good . now its time for Belarus to withdraw from ESC to!

Dolly
Dolly
3 years ago
Reply to  Rasmus

100%

Laburnum
Laburnum
3 years ago

Doesn’t seem very democratic

Pandaman
Pandaman
3 years ago
Reply to  Laburnum

I have a feeling that “to pull a Belarus” will become my favourite saying.

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Pandaman

Indeed!

Last edited 3 years ago by Jimmy Smit
Dean
Dean
3 years ago

Why does everything have to be rigged….