Eurovision Politics, Selections and Voting Rows — 2026-09-14
The Eurovision Song Contest 2027 selection season has officially commenced with a surge in national interest, most notably in Sweden where SVT received a record-breaking number of song submissions. Simultaneously, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has tightened its eligibility criteria, rejecting Kazakhstan's bid for full membership, while the fallout from Israel’s participation continues to drive broadcaster withdrawals, such as the Dutch Avrotros pulling out of the 2027 contest.
Eurovision Politics, Selections and Voting Rows — 2026-09-14
Kazakhstan Denied Entry to Eurovision 2027
On September 11, 2026, it was reported that the EBU has rejected Kazakhstan’s application for full membership, stating the country “does not qualify for full membership at this time.” This decision effectively bars Kazakhstan from competing in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027, despite previous interest from the Central Asian nation. The rejection highlights the EBU’s strict adherence to its membership criteria, which are tied to broadcasting standards and geographic/political definitions of Europe.
Dutch Broadcaster Avrotros Withdraws from 2027 Contest
In a significant political statement affecting the 2027 lineup, Dutch broadcaster Avrotros announced its withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest 2027. The broadcaster cited the contest’s inability to remain neutral while a participating country remains involved in a large-scale military conflict, referring to Israel’s participation. This move underscores the deepening fracture within the EBU community regarding the politicization of the event, following similar tensions during the 2026 contest which saw a drop in viewership due to boycotts.
Record Submissions for Melodifestivalen 2027
SVT, the Swedish public broadcaster, announced that it has received a record-breaking 4,077 song submissions for Melodifestivalen 2027. This marks an all-time high for the Swedish national selection process, indicating robust industry confidence in the Eurovision platform despite recent controversies. The high volume of entries suggests that for many artists and songwriters, Eurovision remains a premier launchpad for international careers, outweighing political concerns.
Melodifestivalen 2027 Submission Window Closes
The submission window for Melodifestivalen 2027 officially closed on Friday, September 11, 2026. With the intake period concluded, SVT will now begin the rigorous selection process to determine the heats for the upcoming competition. The confirmation of these dates and the subsequent closure of submissions mark the formal start of the domestic selection cycles across Europe leading up to the 2027 contest.
Local view
Swedish media outlets have highlighted the sheer volume of interest in the national selection, with Sydsvenskan noting the "record number" of contributions received by SVT, framing it as a testament to the contest's enduring popularity in Sweden. Meanwhile, French outlet Le Figaro TV Magazine continues to analyze the political ramifications of the previous year, referencing the Dutch withdrawal as part of a broader trend of broadcasters questioning the "neutrality" of the contest.
Context & numbers
- 4,077: The total number of song submissions received by SVT for Melodifestivalen 2027, setting a new historical record for the Swedish selection.
- 131 Million: The viewership figure for Eurovision 2026, which dropped by 35 million compared to the previous year, largely attributed to boycotts over Israel’s participation. This context frames the current reluctance of some broadcasters like Avrotros to return in 2027.
On the radar
- Melodifestivalen 2027 Dates: While the submission window has closed, SVT is expected to announce the specific dates for the heats and final of Melodifestivalen 2027 in the coming weeks, with the final traditionally held in early March.
- Other National Selections: Following Sweden's lead, other major participating countries are expected to open or close their submission windows for the 2027 season throughout September and October.
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