Eurovision fans all have same complaint about final
The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest grand final was criticised for its premature voting system this weekend.
Unfolding in the Swiss city of Basel - thanks to last year's native champion Nemo who won the 68th contest with their song 'The Code' - BBC One aired its four-hour coverage on Saturday, May 17 with Graham Norton in the commentator's chair as usual.
Before any of the 26 finalists had a chance to sing their nation's competing tune though, presenters Hazel Brugger, Sandra Studer, and Michelle Hunziker opened the public vote, which in the mind of many viewers represented a diminished fairness. Surely the latter performers had a disadvantage?
Eurovision 2025's pre-performance voting was torn apart by fans on social media site X, with one user pointing out: "Voting is open! We haven't heard the songs, though?"
"Why launch the voting before we've heard the songs?" asked another.
Read more:
When is Eurovision 2025 and who is singing for the UK?
Eurovision's biggest moments in last round before grand final
The most memorable Eurovision performances ever
"So you can vote before you've even heard the songs? What happens if you vote then hear one you like even better?!" was somebody else's issue.
"Voting being open throughout the show is nothing short of pathetic. #Eurovision Worried about how this will affect Albania too," read a fourth complaint.
I'm sorry but voting shouldn't be open until all the songs are done #eurovision
— Thomas 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇪🇺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@DeptfordWife1) May 17, 2025
Vote open before we've even heard the first song? I don't get it #Eurovision
— Bianca's big coat (@biancasbigcoat) May 17, 2025
Voting open before songs really does reinforce the whole political / neighbour vote thing #Eurovision
— Kate (@katybops) May 17, 2025
Vote whenever you want. I hate that. No tense 'Europe start voting now!' moment. #Eurovision #Eurovision2025 pic.twitter.com/ZhGshK3k9S
— Put The Telly On 🇬🇧 🎤 (@putthetellyon) May 17, 2025
Norway: Kyle Alessandro – 'Lighter'
Luxembourg: Laura Thorn – 'La Poupée Monte Le Son'
Estonia: Tommy Cash – 'Espresso Macchiato'
Israel: Yuval Raphael – 'New Day Will Rise'
Lithuania: Katarsis – 'Tavo Akys'
Spain: Melody – 'ESA DIVA'
Ukraine: Ziferblat – 'Bird of Pray'
United Kingdom: Remember Monday – 'What the Hell Just Happened?'
Austria: JJ – 'Wasted Love'
Iceland: VÆB – 'RÓA'
Latvia: Tautumeitas – 'Bur Man Laimi'
Netherlands: Claude – 'C'est La Vie'
Finland: Erika Vikman – 'ICH KOMME'
Italy: Lucio Corsi - 'Volevo Essere Un Duro'
Poland: Justyna Steczkowska – 'GAJA'
Germany: Abor & Tynna – 'Baller'
Greece: Klavdia – 'Asteromáta'
Armenia: PARG – 'SURVIVOR'
Switzerland: Zoë Më – 'Voyage'
Malta: Miriana Conte – 'SERVING'
Portugal: NAPA – 'Deslocado'
Denmark: Sissal – 'Hallucination'
Sweden: KAJ – 'Bara Bada Bastu'
France: Louane – 'maman'
San Marino: Gabry Ponte – 'Tutta L'Italia'
Albania: Shkodra Elektronike – 'Zjerm'
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