Germany scored 117 points at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden, its highest tally since 2019, placing 12th in the final, but the performance by Isaak Guderian with “Always on the Run” marked a turning point after years of poor results. In 2025, the German entry by the sibling duo Abor & Tynna placed 15th with their song “Baller.”

The Eurovision Voting System Explained

The Eurovision voting system combines both jury and public votes. Before the final, countries are divided into two semifinals. Only the countries participating in a semifinal can vote in the semifinal round. Germany, as a host country for 2026, is exempt from this rule and can vote in both semifinals. During the final, each participating country awards points to their favorites, with the top 10 receiving points from 1 to 12, plus a jury award. The overall score is a combination of jury and public votes.

Costs and Rules for Voting in Germany

In Germany, viewers can vote via phone, SMS, or online. According to the Eurovision Song Contest, the cheapest method is a phone call at 14 cents. SMS and online voting each cost 20 cents. Importantly, Germans cannot vote for Germany itself; this rule is set by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to prevent national bias. If a viewer tries to vote for the German entry from within Germany, the vote is invalid and may still incur a charge, depending on local telecom regulations.

Allegations of Vote Manipulation in Israel

Israel faces allegations of systematic vote manipulation in the Eurovision Song Contest, according to a New York Times report citing internal documents and interviews with over 50 people involved. The report states that the Israeli government intensified promotional activities for its entrant after the 2023 Gaza war, using the event as a tool to improve its public image. These efforts allegedly began as early as 2018 and have grown more organized in recent years.

While the Eurovision voting system is designed to be transparent and fair, these allegations raise questions about the integrity of the process. The EBU has not yet commented on the specific claims, but the controversy highlights the political and emotional stakes of the contest beyond its musical purpose.