The article discusses the discrepancies in voting outcomes at the Benidorm Fest 2026, highlighting how the professional jury's favorites in the semifinals were disregarded in the final results.
The Benidorm Fest 2026 has witnessed notable shifts in voting patterns, particularly between the professional jury and the public vote. Recent revelations by RTVE detailed the breakdown of the voting, exposing a significant discord where favorites from the semifinals, such as The Quinquis, Kenneth, and Kitai, experienced a dramatic decline in support during the finals. This disparity underscores a recurring issue in music competitions where jury preferences may not align with audience expectations.
In a bid to minimize external influence, the organizers of Benidorm Fest 2026 took the unusual step of isolating the professional jury from the audience reactions while voting. This decision aimed to ensure that the jury's assessments were not swayed by the immediate feedback of the live audience attending the event at Palau d’Esports L’Illa de Benidorm. However, this approach has resulted in a lack of transparency, as the points awarded in the semifinals remained undisclosed until the recent announcement by RTVE, raising questions about the decision-making process of the jury.
As the analysis of the voting patterns unfolds, it reveals a critical conversation about the integrity and transparency of voting in musical contests. By isolating jury members and concealing semifinal scores, the festival organizers have drawn scrutiny regarding whether such methods create a fair competitive environment or merely foster an opaque atmosphere that could lead to discontent among participants and fans alike.
