RTVSLO could bring Slovenia back to Eurovision 2027 after its 2026 withdrawal, but political and scheduling challenges remain.
Will Slovenia be the next country to announce an official comeback to the Eurovision Song Contest? Following a change in government, Slovenia is not expected to boycott Eurovision 2027 in Bulgaria. According to RTVSLO, its 2027 work and production schedule will play a key role in the final decision, while behind-the-scenes changes could also influence whether Slovenia returns to the contest or stays away for another year.
As recalled, Slovenia was one of five countries that decided to withdraw from Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, in protest over Israel’s participation in the contest and amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Now, following Slovenia’s political shift, the country is not expected to oppose participation in Eurovision in protest against Israel’s presence. However, several other challenges stand in the way before Slovenia can take the stage in Burgas.
Slovenia is changing the structure of its national broadcaster, transferring significant powers to the government, which will be able to appoint the company’s board and potentially bring an end to the tenure of the broadcaster’s president, Natalia Gorscak, who is known for her strong opposition to Israel. Gorscak herself is reportedly deeply alarmed by the expected decision, describing the move as “a severe blow to the independence of the Slovenian national broadcaster.” Slovenia’s Ministry of Culture holds the opposite position and believes the change will lead to a significant improvement in the quality of broadcasting.
The structural changes at the Slovenian national broadcaster are expected to be reviewed next week and come into effect on December 31st. Even if the decision to participate in Eurovision is made by RTVSLO under its current structure, the new management would have to organize a national final within a very short period of time – a nearly impossible task. Therefore, if Slovenia does manage to participate in Eurovision 2027, it will most likely select its entry through an internal selection rather than a national final.
Political Shift: From Boycott and Propaganda Broadcasts to a Pro-Israel Government
RTVSLO’s protest measures even escalated when the national broadcaster chose not to air the live contest broadcasts at all, instead broadcasting a series of programs during Eurovision week focusing on Palestinian culture and analyzing the regional political situation.
However, the geopolitical picture in Ljubljana has changed completely. As EuroMix previously reported extensively, a dramatic political shift occurred in Slovenia, bringing to power a new government led by a prime minister demonstrating a distinctly pro-Israel stance and a great friendship with Israel. The change in leadership and the new public atmosphere in the country provide significant political backing to the national broadcaster, substantially increasing the chances of canceling the boycott and returning Slovenia to the map of participating countries as early as the next contest in Bulgaria.
Will political pressure and government changes lead to Slovenia’s official return to Eurovision 2027? EuroMix will continue to follow closely and update you on all developments.
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.
