As tensions over Israel’s controversial participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest continue to ramp up, a fresh controversy has rocked this year’s 70th edition, with the Director General of Austrian national broadcaster ORF stepping down over sexual harassment allegations.
As if this year’s Eurovision Song Contest needed more controversy...
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Roland Weissmann, the Director General of Austrian national broadcaster ORF, which will host this year’s already controversial Eurovision in two months' time, has quit over sexual harassment allegations.
Weissmann, 57, has denied the allegations, says ORF, who thanked him for his 30 years at the company in their statement announcing he was stepping down “with immediate effect”.
"In recent days, an ORF employee has made sexual harassment allegations against the Director General. Roland Weissmann denies these allegations," the broadcaster said, adding that the allegations will need to be investigated quickly and transparently.
Weissmann's lawyer Oliver Scherbaum issued a statement saying that Weissmann has not been given the full details of the allegations being made against him and that he resigned “to avoid harm to the company”.
The head of ORF radio, Ingrid Thurnher, will take over as Director General on an interim basis, according to ORF.
Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will be held in Vienna on 12 and 14 May (semi-finals) and 16 May (final).
A total of 35 countries will take part in the world's biggest live televised music event, which this year will not include Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Iceland, who have all withdrawn over the maintained participation of Israel.
These nations argue that participation would be "unconscionable" given the civilian casualties in Gaza, stemming from Israel's response to the 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas.
Despite the slogan “United by Music” and ORF previously confirming it will not prohibit the Palestinian flag or drown out any booing aimed at Israel's performance, the diplomatic tensions and widespread boycotts continue to cast a shadow over the 70th edition of the contest.
