RTVSLO receives complaints over Eurovision 2026 boycott as Slovenia weighs a possible return to the contest.
Slovenia, remembered in recent years as one of Israel’s most vocal critics within the Eurovision community, led initiatives calling for a boycott of Israel at Eurovision 2026 and replaced the contest’s Grand Final broadcast with a special programme titled “Voices of Palestine”. Although the country has since undergone a change in government, the controversy surrounding the boycott of Israel is far from over.
According to the May report published by the Ombudsman for Viewers and Listeners of the Slovenian national broadcaster RTVSLO, 20 complaints were received regarding the decision to boycott the contest.
The majority of those complaints criticized the decision, arguing that Eurovision is first and foremost a cultural and musical event that should remain politically neutral and not be influenced by political developments. Opposition to RTVSLO’s decision not to broadcast the contest also included claims that the public broadcaster is funded by taxpayers and therefore has a responsibility to provide access to one of Europe’s largest and most important cultural events.
Eurovision is widely regarded as a culturally significant event across many European countries. As a result, some complaints argued that Slovenia’s absence from the competition would distance local artists from the international stage. According to these complaints, Slovenian performers are being denied the opportunity to showcase their talent, develop their careers, and reach new audiences because of the decision to boycott the contest.
RTVSLO has often reflected the position of the Slovenian government. As the broadcaster moved toward the political left in recent years, observers now expect it to shift in a more conservative direction following changes in the country’s political climate.
Officials appointed during the left-wing government of Robert Golob are expected to leave their positions or be dismissed, and RTVSLO is widely expected to soften its opposition to Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.
A Slovenian return to Eurovision is therefore considered a realistic option and would likely be welcomed by the European Broadcasting Union, which is eager to maintain and expand participation in the contest. Bulgaria’s victory and its upcoming role as host nation could also improve the prospects of a Slovenian comeback, as many expect Eurovision 2027 in Bulgaria to be comparatively less expensive than editions hosted in Western Europe.
Despite the more positive attitude toward Israel within the new Slovenian government and the political conditions that appear to favour a return, rejoining the contest is not expected to be straightforward. It is also unclear whether such a decision would receive broad support among the Slovenian public.
Social media platforms in Slovenia continue to feature strong criticism of Israel and calls for its exclusion from Eurovision. Even if the government ultimately supports a return to the competition, sections of the public could exert significant pressure against participation, particularly while Israel remains in the contest.
Beyond public pressure, however, reports suggest that the main reason behind Slovenia’s continued absence may lie elsewhere. Financial considerations have reportedly emerged as the most critical factor in determining whether the country can return to Eurovision.
RTVSLO is expected to make a final decision regarding Eurovision participation by the end of 2026 and is currently evaluating whether a return is financially viable. The combined costs of participation and organizing a national selection exceed €300,000, raising serious questions about whether the Slovenian national broadcaster can realistically fund a return to the competition.
Slovenia at Eurovision 2025
“How Much Time Do We Have Left” is the title of the song performed by singer Klemen in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2025. Slovenia failed to qualify for the grand final, after two consecutive years of success. The country finished 13th out of 15, earning only 23 points.
Eurovision 2025: This was Slovenia’s 30th participation in Eurovision. Slovenia joined the competition in 1993 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 1995 and Eurovision 2001 after finishing seventh twice.
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Ofek Jerassi is an Israeli reporter, editor, content creator, and commentator, specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. He has developed his extensive expertise since childhood, becoming a close follower of the contest. For the past three years, he has served as a writer and editor for EuroMix—Israel’s largest Eurovision website and one of the world’s leading platforms in the field, with over 1.5 million users annually.
Ofek covered Eurovision 2025 on-site in Basel from the press center in the host city, providing EuroMix readers with firsthand experiences, professional analysis, and exclusive reactions from the audience, artists, and experts. His in-depth knowledge and broad familiarity with the Eurovision world are evident in every article, ensuring reliable, professional, and up-to-date content.
In his personal life, Ofek is a medic and avid traveler. He writes out of a genuine love for Eurovision, placing strong emphasis on credibility, professional commentary, and presenting a diverse range of opinions.
