section_path: Abstract
section_name: Abstract
paragraph_text: The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 was the 69th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Basel, Switzerland, following the country's victory at the 2024 contest with the song " The Code " by Nemo. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR), the contest was held at St. Jakobshalle, and consisted of two semi-finals on 13 and 15 May, and a final on 17 May 2025. The three live shows were presented by Hazel Brugger and Sandra Studer, with Michelle Hunziker joining for the final.
  
  Broadcasters from thirty-seven countries participated in the contest, the same number as the previous two editions. Montenegro returned after a two-year absence, while Moldova, which had originally planned to participate, later withdrew due to economic reasons and the quality of the songs competing in its national selection. Israel 's participation continued to cause controversy in the context of the Gaza war, with some participating broadcasters calling for a discussion on the issue.
  
  The winner was Austria with the song " Wasted Love ", performed by JJ and written by him along with Teodora Špirić and Thomas Thurner. Austria won the combined vote and jury vote, and placed fourth in the televote. Israel won the televote and finished second overall, with Estonia, Sweden, and Italy completing the top five. The EBU reported that the contest had a television audience of 166 million viewers in 37 European markets, an increase of three million viewers from the previous edition.