🇸🇮 Slovenia will not participate in Eurovision 2026

RTV Slovenija has today officially confirmed that Slovenia will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.

Please note: this is breaking news and some details may be subject to change

Official statement from RTV Slovenija

In line with their statement in October, RTV Slovenia have confirmed that they will not participate in Eurovision 2026. The statement says:

“Slovenia will not be there. Also on behalf of the 20 thousand children who died in Gaza”,

“We have to follow our principles, and I think that’s the right way to go. Sometimes we have to be on the right side of history, and that’s the moment we’re on the right side of history.”

Natalija Gorščak, of RTVSlo

Slovenia had not previously confirmed participation in the contest for 2026.

At the time of writing Spain, Ireland, and The Netherlands have confirmed their withdrawal from the 2026 contest following the EBU general assembly meeting where the topic of Israel’s participation was discussed. Sloevnia’s RTVSlo has stated that a specific vote on Israeli participation in the contest was not allowed to take place. They directed cited the EBU’s continued ban on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine as part of its statement.

They have not confirmed if Slovenia’s National Final EMA will go ahead this year as a contest without

Slovenia’s Eurovision Journey

In 1993, Slovenia made its debut in the Eurovision Song Contest with 1X Band and the song “Tih deževen dan”, which placed 22nd. Since their debut, they have participated 28 times – of which, 16 were where they qualified for the Grand Final.

Slovenia’s recent Eurovision participation saw them being represented by Klemen, who sang “How Much Time Do We Have Left”. Performing at the first semi-final, Klemen failed to qualify, placing thirteenth with 23 points from the televote.

What do you think of RTV Slovenija’s decision? As always, please let us know what you think by getting involved in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads, tumblr, and Bluesky for more information about Eurovision 2026!

Source: RTV SLO

Photo Credit: Alma Bengtsson / EBU