Serbia stays in Eurovision, but tensions within EBU are growing! Slovenia and other countries demand answers

Ten days after the 69th Eurovision Song Contest ended, tensions remain high. Several European countries have voiced doubts about the integrity of this year’s contest, and some are even considering withdrawal – but Serbia won’t be among them.

RTS spokesperson and longtime Eurovision commentator Duška Vučinić stated that despite the disappointing result and ongoing controversies, Serbia remains part of the Eurovision family.

“We will not withdraw, no matter what. We’ve realized how important this event is for us and how well-positioned we are, even in years when we don’t make it to the final,” said Vučinić, reminding that Serbia had previously withdrawn from the contest in 2014, possibly still upset over failing to qualify in 2013.

“We’ve come to understand that we are well-positioned regardless of the ranking. This competition is more than just points – it’s a platform to showcase our country, culture, and music,” she added, while acknowledging the growing dissatisfaction in recent years.

More countries confirm participation in Eurovision 2026

In addition to Serbia, several other countries have already confirmed their participation in Eurovision 2026, despite increasingly vocal criticism and debates about rules and voting. Among them are Austria, Denmark, Finland, Greece, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom – all committed to continuing their Eurovision journey.

Luxembourg has announced a national selection process and begun preparations, but the final decision on participation is still pending. Discussions are ongoing with the government, which has funded their Eurovision comeback since 2024.

Montenegro has not issued an official confirmation yet, but signals suggest a return – Head of Delegation Vladana Vučinić stated “See you next year,” and Montesong producer Danijel Alibabić has called on local authorities to get more involved in Eurovision preparations.

Israel – double standards and shattered trust

While Serbia stays, other countries are threatening to leave. Public broadcasters from Belgium, Spain, Finland, and Ireland have demanded a vote review and called for an open debate within the EBU. The Belgian delegation even publicly questioned its participation in 2026.

One of this year’s central issues wasn’t (just) music. For the second year in a row, Israel’s participation has caused serious divisions among EBU member states. While Russia was banned due to its aggression against Ukraine, Israel continues to participate despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza and increasing accusations of international law violations – which many see as a clear case of double standards.

RTV Slovenia’s director Ksenija Horvat sent a letter to the EBU calling for an “urgent and inclusive debate” on participation rules and voting transparency. She highlighted the growing public suspicion that political interests are compromising the EBU’s neutrality, emphasizing the need to compare telephone and online voting results to help restore trust.

Slovenia is not alone – both Belgium and Spain have requested a review of the results, and public pressure to exclude Israel from future contests is mounting. The EBU’s confidence in its own system has never faced a tougher test.

Additionally, many participating countries find it increasingly strange that Israel has placed among the top public vote getters two years in a row, regardless of the controversies surrounding its participation. This has only intensified doubts about the fairness and transparency of the televoting system.

Israel’s 2025 Eurovision Representative

Slovenia Threatens Withdrawal

RTV Slovenia Director General Ksenija Horvat sent an official letter to the EBU demanding an urgent meeting over what she described as serious and growing concerns related to voting and country participation policies – particularly Israel’s.

“As the director of Television Slovenia, I am once again addressing you with serious and growing concerns regarding Israel’s continued participation in EBU events, especially the Eurovision Song Contest”, Horvat wrote.

She stated that the response previously received from the EBU lacked convincing or concrete explanations and did not reflect the urgency or gravity of the matter. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories has worsened, and public concern – in Slovenia and across Europe – has significantly increased.

“Many viewers in Slovenia and elsewhere expressed serious doubts about the credibility and transparency of the voting, especially in the political context surrounding the contest. The feeling that political interests could influence decisions on participation or the final results of the vote has seriously shaken the public’s trust in the impartiality of the EBU”, the letter continues.

Horvat emphasized that RTV Slovenia is especially interested in a comparison between telephone and online voting, seeing it as essential for rebuilding trust in the integrity of the process – “As public media, we have a duty to provide our audience with accurate and verifiable information”.

In conclusion, Horvat warned: “If the EBU does not take concrete steps and address these concerns, we will consider our participation in future Eurovision events. We will be forced to do so if the EBU continues to fail to address these key issues – not just from an ethical standpoint, but in the public interest as well”.

Finally, the RTV Slovenia director called on the EBU to urgently convene an open and inclusive debate among its members – including performers and representatives of civil society – on voting transparency, participation policies, and ensuring that the EBU’s stated values are consistently and credibly upheld.

Spain speaks loudest – even the Prime Minister weighs in

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has arguably been the loudest voice in Europe, directly calling for Israel’s suspension from Eurovision, citing the precedent set in 2022 when Russia was expelled from the contest.

“We cannot have double standards. If Russia was excluded for its aggression in Ukraine, the same should apply to Israel due to the events in Gaza”, Sánchez declared, urging Europe to remain committed to human rights values.

Paradoxically, the Spanish public gave Israel’s entry the maximum 12 points, triggering a wave of reactions. Spanish broadcaster RTVE immediately requested a vote audit after the final, and notably aired a pro-Palestinian message during the broadcast – despite the EBU’s warnings to avoid political messaging.

Sánchez took it even further – in a speech before the Spanish Congress, he referred to Israel as a “genocidal state”, prompting Israel’s Foreign Ministry to urgently summon the Spanish ambassador.