🇲🇰 North Macedonia: Program Council Recommends Against Eurovision 2026 Participation

The Program Council of MRT has recommended against the broadcaster competing in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.

In meeting notes from October 27, the Program Council of MRT recommended that the broadcaster not return to the Eurovision Song Contest until 2027. The meeting notes published by MRT state:

“The Council’s position is that Macedonia should not participate this year, in order to enable the preparation of a comprehensive strategy for participation in 2027.

The Council assessed that Eurovision represents a good opportunity to present and promote the country, its culture, music production and performers, but in order to achieve this in the right way, a clear strategy, detailed preparation and appropriate production and financial support are needed.

In the meantime, it is recommended that MRT focus on reviving and promoting domestic music festivals, such as “Cvetnici” and “Skopje Festival”, in order to encourage and promote domestic authors and performers.”

Of note is that the Program Council meeting came three days before the Program Plan for 2026 was published by MRT. In the Program Plan, it was stated that:

“MRT’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is a matter for which MRT has not yet made a final decision. The reasons for this are multifaceted: the need for a careful assessment of production and financial possibilities, consideration of the concept for selecting the representative and the performance strategy, as well as the analysis of previous experiences.

The MRT editorial board will consider these factors and make the best decision in accordance with the interests of the public service, the cultural promotion of the country and the expectations of the audience.”

It is not yet known when the MRT Editorial Board will meet to make a final decision on Eurovision 2026 participation. Broadcasters have until mid-December to confirm whether they will compete in the contest.

The last time North Macedonia entered the contest was in 2022. Andrea represented the country in Turin with the song “Circles”. She was unable to qualify for that year’s Grand Final, though, finishing 11th in her semi-final with 76 points.

Image source: EBU / Nathan Reinds | Source: MRT

North Macedonia (previously competing as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1998. They attempted to participate two years earlier but were knocked out in the pre-qualifying round. North Macedonia’s best result in the contest is a 7th place finish in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019, when Tamara Todevska represented the country with the song “Proud”. North Macedonia has not participated in Eurovision since 2022.

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