Slovenia "up in the air" for Eurovision 2026 – Statements by Alenka Gotar

Slovenia's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 appears to be in doubt following recent comments by Alenka Gotar — the singer who represented the country in 2007 and later served as chair of the Music Committee at RTV SLO.

In a recent statement, Gotar said:

"Unfortunately, I am no longer a member of the council, so I have no influence. However, I am almost 100% sure that Slovenia will not participate in Eurovision due to the non-exclusion of Israel."

Her remarks add weight to ongoing speculation in recent weeks about a potential Slovenian withdrawal, amid the controversy surrounding Israel's participation.

So far, however, RTV SLO has not issued any official announcement regarding its position on the 2026 contest, which will be hosted in Austria. It therefore remains uncertain whether Slovenia will ultimately take part or opt for withdrawal — a development that would mark a significant moment for a country with a long history in the contest.

At Eurovision 2025, Slovenia was represented by Klemen with the song "How Much Time Do We Have Left." The performance did not manage to qualify for the Grand Final, finishing 13th in the first semi-final with 23 points, leaving Slovenia's 2025 entry as a non-qualifier.