I'm not sure what the EU has to do with anything or why EU countries should be different from any of the other competing countries.
I suppose the "partisanship" can be interesting to observe, but considering all the hard work each of the acts have to do I feel it's a shame that they are judged mainly on geographical and political factors rather than on their musical ability and performance.
Despite the name Eurovision is nothing to do with the EU. That's why Israel, Ukraine and Russia sometimes compete.
Actual eligibility is defined by a relic of the early television broadcasting industry, the "European Broadcasting Area" the borders of which correspond to, I think, early telegraph networks.
Exactly. Eurovision is not related to the European Union. Technically, it doesn't even have anything to do with Europe; Australia have been competing in recent years.
Eligibility simply requires the country to have a broadcaster that is a member of the European Broadcasting Union.
I suppose the "partisanship" can be interesting to observe, but considering all the hard work each of the acts have to do I feel it's a shame that they are judged mainly on geographical and political factors rather than on their musical ability and performance.