Category: Austria

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Chancellor issues a bold warning: Vienna will withdraw from hosting Eurovision 2026 if Israel is banned, sparking major diplomatic waves and raising Israel’s prospects for participation. A major diplomatic bombshell shakes the Eurovision stage: amid the ongoing debate surrounding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, a firm statement of support has arrived from one of the most crucial places — the host country itself. Austria’s Chancellor has declared unequivocally that without Israel in the competition, Vienna will not host the event. What could this mean for Eurovision’s future and for Israel’s participation? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker and State Secretary Alexander Proll made an official announcement stating that if a boycott against Israel is enforced, they will pressure the national broadcaster and the City of Vienna to withdraw their hosting of Eurovision 2026. In a statement from their party, OVP, they emphasized: “It makes no sense that we, of all people, would prevent a Jewish artist from coming to...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Austria, the host country of Eurovision 2026, declares strong support for Israel against boycott threats, ahead of November’s decisive vote. The diplomatic battle over Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 has taken a dramatic turn with an unprecedented statement from one of the key stakeholders: the host country. In an interview with the local press, Roland Weißmann, CEO of Austrian broadcaster ORF, put an end to speculation and made it unequivocally clear that the national broadcaster fully supports the participation of Israel’s broadcaster "KAN" in the contest, which will be held in Vienna. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "Support Arises from Austria’s History" In an interview with Austrian newspaper Krone, when asked directly about growing boycott threats from other countries and broadcasters (such as the BBC), Weißmann did not hesitate. He revealed that his stance has been presented for months in various European Broadcasting Union (EBU) forums, and declared without reservation: “As I have represented in the EBU for months, and...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Cesár Sampson joins the team selecting participants for the 2026 Austrian national selection. what kind of songs is he looking for? Austria is preparing to host Eurovision 2026 in Vienna: the Austrian national broadcaster ORF will hold, for the first time in a decade, an open national final to determine the country’s entry for the contest. The broadcaster has enlisted Cesár Sampson to assist with the complex mission of finding participants for “Vienna Calling – Wer singt für Österreich” (in English: Vienna Calling – Who Will Sing for Austria?), from which one act will earn the honor of representing Austria on home soil in Vienna. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Cesár Sampson Will Choose Austria’s National Selection Participants Cesár Sampson, who represented Austria in Eurovision 2018 and secured third place with "Nobody But You", revealed in an interview with Austrian station Ö3 that he will help select the songs competing for the right to represent...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Austria’s ORF and governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner back Israel’s Eurovision 2026 participation, opposing boycott threats and affirming Vienna’s role as host. The board of directors of Austria’s national broadcaster, ORF, voted by majority in favor of Israel’s participation in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The decision, taken on Thursday, follows a public statement by ORF CEO Ronald Weissmann, who said he "hopes to see Israel participate in the contest". This endorsement is considered crucial, especially against boycott threats voiced by Slovenia, Ireland, the Netherlands, and other countries. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Political Support from Austria for Israel The decision by ORF is more than a symbolic move—it represents a concrete stance within the contest itself, positioning Austria, the host country, as a firm ally of Israel amid growing boycott calls. Substantial reinforcement came from Lower Austria’s governor, Johanna Mikl-Leitner, who not only joined in support but also openly opposed boycott threats from other states. Her involvement underscores Austria’s...