To win Saturday's final and represent Sweden in the European Championship, it is necessary to gather the most points. Half of the points are awarded by the viewers, while the other half is awarded by an international jury.
This year, the jury consists of representatives from France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Switzerland, and Serbia. Each jury group consists of people who work with music in their home countries in one way or another.
The purpose is to help Sweden choose a competitive entry for the European Championship.
"Having music experts from our European neighboring countries help us select a winner gives us better conditions in the European Championship," says Anders Wistbacka, project manager and overall responsible for Melodifestivalen in a press release.
If two contestants receive the same number of points, it is the Swedish people's will that weighs the heaviest, then the entry with the most viewer votes wins.
