After two top-five finishes in the past two editions of Eurovision, Switzerland is sticking with its successful song selection formula. Now German-Swiss broadcaster SRF has opened submissions for its internal selection, looking for the entry that will represent Switzerland at Eurovision 2022.

SRF has opened applications, which can be made via a form on the broadcaster’s website. The submission period opens today, 1 September, and closes at midday (CET) on 15 September 2021.

Switzerland’s internal selection process for Eurovision 2022

Last month, SRF announced details of its internal selection process for 2022. Switzerland will again use a 100-person panel to help select its entry. The panel was selected earlier in the year in conjunction with regular partner Digame. The panel has been specially selected to represent the tastes of a typical Eurovision viewer, rather than Eurovision fans.

During the selection process, the songs will also be assessed by a 20-person international expert jury. In recent years, the jury has included former Eurovision acts such as Ruth Lorenzo and Tinkara Kovač, as well as names outside the Eurovision bubble.

The final decision of Switzerland’s song for Eurovision 2022 will be decided in a 50/50 vote by the audience panel and expert jury.

Looking for songs that ‘trigger an emotional response’

SRF has also published terms and conditions of entry, with details of the song selection. The broadcaster says they are looking for a “contemporary, striking song” and that “the lyrics should have a strong, clear and understandable message.”

The broadcaster is also urging songwriters to not hold back with the themes of their songs. In one section, the rules advise that:

“One of the purposes of the Eurovision Song Contest is to arouse the feelings of the viewers and jury members by addressing certain topics. We therefore encourage composers and lyricists to submit songs that address topical issues or which trigger an emotional reaction or recognition among ESC viewers with their content.”

This could be seen as a reference to the success of Gjon’s Tears’ emotional song “Tout l’univers”. The French lyrics and emotional interpretation took the listener on an emotional journey and won over both juries and televoters in Rotterdam.

The rules don’t say when the successful act will be announced but notes that applicants will know by the end of 2021 if their song has been successful. The rules also require the successful acts to be available for rehearsals from January 2022 onwards.

The contest is open to entrants of any nationality, however in the case of a tiebreak, priority will be given to Swiss acts.

Switzerland has used their internal selection process since 2019 and the system has worked well for the nation. In 2019, Luca Hänni finished fourth in the Eurovision grand final with “She Got Me”. Earlier this year. Gjon’s Tears did one better, finishing third with his song “Tout l’univers”. Switzerland may be hoping they can do even better in 2022.

What do you think? Who would you like to see represent Switzerland next year in Italy? Should Switzerland send a non-Swiss act this time? Tell us your thoughts below!

Follow all of our Switzerland Eurovision 2022 news

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Bird Lover
Bird Lover
2 years ago

they will send a french rock song. They copy from the previous year always: they copied arcade and fuego, now theyll send the french maneskin

Manisha
Manisha
2 years ago

I want Gjon’s Tears to represent Switzerland in Eurovision Song Contest 2022. I loved Gjon’s Tears song Répondez-moi

Sot
Sot
2 years ago

Finally, Swiss people are getting what they deserve! After that Timebelle, Zibbz, Sebalter and Takasa robbery, jeez..

Badwoolfgirl
Badwoolfgirl
2 years ago

If Switzerland continues what they’re doing, they might win Eurovision for a third time in the future. Wouldn’t it be cool if they sent something in Italian for next year because Italy’s hosting?

just an esc fan
just an esc fan
2 years ago

very interesting and successful selection! i applied to be a juror since u can also take part even if you’re not swiss. unfortunately, i wasn’t selected but the way they choose the jurors is very interesting!

EurovisionBenny_AUT
EurovisionBenny_AUT
2 years ago

“Should Switzerland send a non-Swiss act this time?” When it comes to Eurovision, it is in my opinion the best when the individual countries present what they themselves have on offer, what makes them stand out from the other competing countries. I believe that the broadcasters should show how talented their artists and songwriters are and measure themselves with others with the help of Eurovision. So I hope that that the majority of the people involved in the Swiss act next year were either born in Switzerland, have Swiss citizenship, or currently reside in Switzerland. It worked totally fine with… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago

Tina Turner is Swiss.