Recently, there have been intense rumors about countries returning to the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, which will take place in May in Vienna. One of these is North Macedonia, which, after withdrawing from the contest in 2023 for financial reasons, appears to be preparing for a comeback. However, following a meeting of the MRT Board of Directors on September 19, the scenario of North Macedonia’s return to Eurovision 2026 seems increasingly unlikely.
Although the chairman of the MRT Program Council, Davor Pašoski, stated that there is still room for North Macedonia to return to Eurovision, he noted that in order for participation to take place, the MRT budget must be approved by the country’s government and increased in the event of North Macedonia’s return.
Further discussion at the Program Council meeting indicates that no decision has been made regarding a return in 2026 and that there are views that 2027 is a more realistic goal. Mr. Pašoski explained that an appropriate strategy and preparation are needed for a return in 2027, but that the broadcaster aims to invest in domestic song contests such as Cvetnici and Skopje Fest, arguing that only MRT promotes domestic music.
The board also acknowledged that a large number of fans of the competition had contacted MRT asking for the broadcaster to return. The requests came from North Macedonia, but also from abroad, including Australia and Sweden.
It is not known whether MRT submitted the necessary documents to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 within the deadline, which expires in December, when the final decision on its participation in Vienna will be made.
The last time North Macedonia participated in the contest was in 2022. Andrea represented the country in Turin with the song “Circles,” but did not qualify for the final, finishing 11th in the semi-final with 76 points.
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Source: MRT