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Slovenia’s national broadcaster, RTV Slovenija, has issued a stark warning to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU): unless the organisation takes concrete steps to address mounting concerns, Slovenia may reconsider its participation in future Eurovision Song Contests.
In a letter addressed to the EBU’s Executive Board, Ksenija Horvat, Director of Televizija Slovenija, expressed deep unease over Israel’s continued involvement in the contest, particularly in light of the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. Horvat noted that previous appeals for discussion had been met with unsatisfactory responses, lacking in urgency and substance. She emphasised that public concern across Slovenia and Europe has intensified, especially given the perceived disparity in how the EBU has treated Russia and Israel in recent years.
RTV Slovenija also raised serious doubts about the transparency and integrity of the 2025 Eurovision voting process. The broadcaster highlighted discrepancies between telephone and online votes, suggesting that political interests may have influenced the results. Horvat stressed the necessity of restoring public trust in the voting system, asserting that, as a public media outlet, RTV Slovenija has a duty to provide accurate and verifiable information to its audience.
Beyond these issues, RTV Slovenija questioned several aspects of the 2024 contest, including the disqualification of the Netherlands, the use of anti-booing technology during Israel’s performance, the ban on EU flags, and the influence of the contest’s main sponsor, Moroccanoil, an Israeli brand. The broadcaster also criticised the introduction of the “Rest of the World” vote, questioning why individuals from non-participating countries should impact the competition’s outcome.
In response to these concerns, the EBU has indicated that its Reference Group will review the voting data in June. Additionally, they will assess the promotion of participants by their delegations and discuss whether the public vote should continue to allow up to 20 votes per person. A decision is also expected on whether to keep the semifinals as 100% televote.
Slovenia’s stance adds to a growing chorus of voices calling for greater transparency and accountability within the Eurovision framework. Broadcasters from more than a quarter of participating countries have so far sought clarifications from the EBU regarding various aspects of the 2025 contest. As discussions continue, the future of Slovenia’s participation in Eurovision remains uncertain, hinging on the EBU’s forthcoming actions and decisions.
