[ 14 December 2012 23:17 ]
Eurovision fans were confused after TRT had stated that they may consider withdrawal in 2013. Then, everyone calmed down when TRT started to put lots of effort trying to decide which artist should represent Turkey in Malmö. However, today it's been officially announced that, Turkey will not take part in the 2013 edition of Eurovision Song Contest.
After Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Bosnia & Herzegovina withdrew (and Cyprus first announced to do so, but later changed its mind), TRT also announced that Turkey will not participate in next year’s contest.
In August 2012, Director General at TRT said that Turkey was considering withdrawal in 2013. However, this was not taken much seriously among the public, as TRT started to organize meetings with an "Advisory Board" which gathered music proffessionals in order to discuss, who would be the right participant for Turkey. Last week, some rumours spred out that the meetings with the 2013 representative were close to an end, and the name would be announced very soon. Today, both the media and the fans were shocked by the withdrawal of Turkey.
Unlike the other withdrawn countries, Turkey's reason is not financial. TRT stated that, this is a reaction to the injustice of the competition, like a "boycott". In the explanation they made, TRT claimed that the contest was unfair due to the latest rule in the voting system; the 50-50 combination of jury voting and televoting. It is thought that the involvement of jury had a downstream effect on Turkey's points. The broadcaster also finds the "big 5 direct qualifiers" unfair.
Turkey will most likely participate in the 2014 contest, as TRT told that they'll take the opinions of Advisory Board into consideration to develop a strategy for the next years, and hopefully end up with better and more effective conclusions.
Many Turkish Eurovision fans are however thinking the withdrawel has mostly to do with the latest rule change making the producer decide the running order of the participating songs. Something that can have a big influence on the winner.
Turkey has been in the contest since 1975, and they were active except for the years 1976, 1977,1979, and 1994. They won for the first time in 2003, with the song Everyway That I Can by Sertab Erener, their only victory until now.
In 2012, Turkey was represented with the song Love Me Back by Can Bonomo, which finished the contest at a respectable 7th place.
- 19/06/2013 Somali Islamist rebels attack U.N. base, 22 dead - UPDATED
- 19/06/2013 OSCE Chairperson-in-Office meets Georgian Foreign Minister
- 19/06/2013 Obama arrives in Berlin to angst over US spy programmes
- 19/06/2013 Turkish PM says police will get more power
- 19/06/2013 France ready to work with Iran's new president-elect
- 19/06/2013 Five main currencies' exchange rates against Canadian dollar
- 19/06/2013 Italy court rejects bid to block Berlusconi tax fraud verdict
- 19/06/2013 International counterfeiting gang arrested in Vienna
- 19/06/2013 5 injured in central Turkey's clashes
- 18/06/2013 G8 leaders issue declaration on taxation
- 18/06/2013 Turkey starts mass arrests
- 18/06/2013 Russian, U.S. presidents agree to push for Syria talks in Geneva
- 18/06/2013 Merkel says Japan PM to introduce structural reforms
- 18/06/2013 G8 leaders say economic prospects remain weak, warn Japan on fiscal plan
- 18/06/2013 Greek court orders shuttered state TV ERT to reopen: source
- 18/06/2013 Protesters march on G8 venue in Northern Ireland
- 17/06/2013 G8 summit gets underway, launching formal talks on free trade agreement
- 17/06/2013 Europe to "pay the price" for arming Syria rebels: al-Assad
- 17/06/2013 Putin, Obama face off over Syria; rebels get Saudi missiles
- 17/06/2013 Angela Merkel shocked by Turkey's violent crackdown on protests
- 17/06/2013 2013 Paris Air Show kicks off in France
- 16/06/2013 Protests continued all night long in Istanbul
- 16/06/2013 Pressure on Czech PM grows as scandal deepens
- 16/06/2013 The Gezi Park protests and their impact on Turkey’s soft power abroad
- 16/06/2013 Italy to pursue growth along path of EU recommendations
- 16/06/2013 Thousands of Portuguese teachers demonstrate against gov't austerity measures
- 16/06/2013 Dutch couple confirmed kidnapped in Yemen: official
- 16/06/2013 29 injured in Turkish police crackdown on protesters in Istanbul
- 16/06/2013 Police enter Istanbul's Gezi Park after Erdogan warning - PHOTO
- 15/06/2013 Erdogan in new Gezi Park protest warning
- 15/06/2013 6.2-magnitude quake hits Crete, Greece - USGS
- 15/06/2013 Russian Journalist To Be Deported From Turkey
- 15/06/2013 Czech government in turmoil after police raids on government offices
- 15/06/2013 Thousands in Bulgaria protest against nomination of new SANS chairman
- 15/06/2013 Britain lobbies for nuclear export group to admit India
- 15/06/2013 France refuses to grant mandate for FTA talks with US
- 15/06/2013 U.S., Norway, Britain concerned about tension between Sudans
- 14/06/2013 Turkey protests: Erdogan meets Gezi Park activists
- 14/06/2013 Turkish PM issues ultimatum, will meet protesters
- 14/06/2013 At least 7 injured in chemical plant explosion in Louisiana, U.S.
Azerbaijani Prosecutor General’s Office: “We have not received any petition from Georgia regarding Vano Merabishvili”
Azerbaijan publicizes results of last final exams
List of weapons and military vehicles sold by Russia to Azerbaijan last year publicized
Fire Protection Service chief of staff at Emergency Situations Ministry: “About 40 vehicles burnt in the car pound” - UPDATED
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry: Our position coincides with the position of the co-chairing states
Forex