09-05-2025
What is Eurovision bloc voting and who benefits from it?
Eurovision has built its name on frothy pop fun, sparkle and questionable fashion, but over the years there have many whisperings about politics being at play under its glittery surface.
The official position on the annual song contest is that it exists outside that sphere, however, despite its protestations the glitzy event has a long history of reflecting the political climate. Whether it's an entry delivering a politically charged song, or a country being expelled from the contest over its actions like Russia in 2022, there is often a bit more going on than just a singing competition.
The event's party line on politics hasn't stopped critics slating the voting situation either. Over the years there have been many accusations about some countries voting for 'friends' rather than talent, and others benefitting from like-minded or local nations handing them top marks.
With the 2025 contest in Basel, Switzerland just days away, we have a look at bloc voting and who tends to vote for who.
Eurovision's voting system is a tricky one, made harder to follow by the fact it has undergone a fair few changes. In the current system, a professional jury of experts in each country gives a set of points, with acts desperate to clinch the top mark of 12.
Viewers from the competing countries also vote, and since 2023 fans from countries who aren't in the contest can deliver their verdict too.
In the spirit of good sportsmanship, one thing countries can't do is vote for themselves.
However, while they can't give themselves a pat on the back, Eurovision entries can hope that any neighbours or buddies consider them for the coveted douze points.
Cyprus and Greece don't share a land border but they have a lot in common when it comes to tradition and culture and that bond is often on show at Eurovision.
Each country gets to give out a 12, a 10, then marks from eight to one. And Cyprus and Greece are known for giving each other their top marks on several occasions.
Fans got so used to them lavishing points on each other that it came as a bit of a shock in 2023 when the Greek jury gave Cyprus just four points, with several GIFs and memes about it doing the rounds on social media.
The UK and Ireland tend to show each other support in the competition.
They don't always hand each other the highest marks, but frequently opt for middling scores that acknowledge each other's efforts whilst not necessarily tipping the balance.
Last year, Ireland's jury gave UK entry Olly Alexander four points for his performance of Dizzy, and the UK's panel gave a respectable seven to Ireland's Bambie Thug.
Turkey and Azerbaijan have long been unofficial voting partners - so much so, in fact, that when Turkey were unexpectedly knocked out of the contest during the 2011 semi-finals, Azerbaijan's Ell and Nikki who went on to win that year said in an interview that they also considered themselves to be competing on behalf of Turkey.
Since 2013, Turkey has abstained from sending an act to Eurovision in protest at both the Big Five system and a change in voting that means only 50% of scores come from public votes now, with a judging panel of music experts for each country brought in to award the other 50% of points.
However, while the neighbouring countries might not be able to vote for each other any more, they still have a strong link. One Turkish popstar even announced he hoped to represent Azerbaijan at the 2025 contest, although they eventually chose to go for Azerbaijani band Mamagama.
The Nordic bloc spreads its votes a little more thinly as it encompasses Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland, but the northern reaches of Europe can always be counted on to support each other.
However, some countries benefit more from that support than others, with Sweden notably getting more votes from its allies than some of them receive from each other. Largely, the Nordic bloc works out well for all - as a region, they are the most successful at the contest with seven wins for Sweden, three for Norway and Denmark, and one for Finland. Sweden also boasts the most successful Eurovision winner in ABBA.
In fact, the Nordic bloc is so well known for supportive votes that the countries are split between the two semi-finals as countries can only vote for others in their semi-final group. Will the Nordics rack up another win in 2025?
The Eurovision 2025 final will be broadcast on BBC One on Saturday, 17 May.
