Hadise at Eurovision 2009 representing Turkey. Photograph courtesy of Telegraph.co.uk

Today TRT (Turkish National Broadcaster) have again confirmed that they will not return to Eurovision 2014 until changes are made to the voting procedure and the “Big 5” status.

Ibrahim Sahin (Director General at TRT) announced at the Turkish National Song Festival, that Turkey would not be at Eurovision 2014 until changes are made to the 50/50 Jury and Public Vote and the automatic qualification of the Big 5 countries – Italy, Spain, Germany, United Kingdom and France stating “Five countries directly entering the grand final in this competition is unfair. If this system continues, we will not take part”.

However Sahin did offer an olive branch to the EBU by saying “We are waiting for changes to the current voting system before a final decision is reached. Time is not over yet however, there is still a chance we can participate next year ”

Turkey failed to qualify for the Grand Final of Eurovision in 2011. Since then they have voiced their concerns about the voting system. Had the 2012 contest not have been staged in Azerbaijan in 2012, one might debate that they would have exited the contest a year earlier.

Will the EBU change the voting system and Big 5 status to accommodate Turkey? Unlikely – but TRT have directly reached out to the EBU.

Author/Website co-founder and Editor in Chief Garrett Mulhall

Source : TRT