RAI confirms that Italy will compete in Eurovision after Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain pull out in protest over inclusion of Israel.
Italy’s public broadcaster RAI on Saturday pledged its help for Israel’s participation in subsequent yr’s Eurovision Song Contest and in addition confirmed that Italy will compete within the annual occasion.
The resolution got here after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) normal meeting accredited Israel’s entry for the seventieth version of the competition which is able to happen within the Austrian capital Vienna from 12-16 May 2026.
Several nations together with Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain have pulled out in protest over the inclusion of Israel, citing its battle on Gaza, whereas Iceland is to carry additional talks within the coming days earlier than deciding whether or not to take part or withdraw.
Big Five
Italy is without doubt one of the “Big Five” nations – together with France, Germany, Spain and the UK – whose Eurovision acts qualify mechanically for the ultimate as a result of their broadcasters make the biggest monetary contributions to the competition.
“Italy has at all times been among the many nations which have believed in and invested within the Eurovision Song Contest, contributing considerably, together with financially, to its improvement and worldwide success”, RAI mentioned in a press release.
“In latest years, our dedication has steadily elevated, demonstrating the worth we place on an occasion that represents the longest-running worldwide music pageant, able to uniting various cultures in a shared celebration”, the Italian broadcaster mentioned, including: “RAI’s dedication to the competition confirms the will to strengthen Italy’s function in selling music, tradition and leisure on the worldwide stage”.
Reaction to EBU resolution
The resolution to permit the participation of Israel within the contest was welcomed by Israeli president Isaac Herzog who hailed it as “an appreciated gesture of solidarity, brotherhood, and co-operation, symbolising a victory over those that search to silence Israel and unfold hatred”.
Ireland’s state broadcaster RTÉ mentioned it felt that its participation within the contest “stays unconscionable given the appalling lack of lives in Gaza and the humanitarian disaster there which continues to place the lives of so many civilians in danger.”
New guidelines
The EBU additionally introduced modifications to the competition’s voting system following the controversy that arose over the last version of the competitors over allegations that Israel unfairly boosted the variety of votes obtained by Israeli singer Yuval Raphael.
The voting change features a discount within the most variety of votes per fee methodology, mounted at 10 as a substitute of 20.
With the brand new system, skilled juries may also return for the semifinals as a substitute of simply the finals, giving roughly 50-50 share weight between viewers and jury votes.
The EBU introduced that broadcasters from all member nations might want to affirm their participation in subsequent yr’s competitors, with the complete checklist of contributors to be introduced earlier than Christmas.
Italy and the Eurovision
Traditionally, the winner of the Sanremo Music Festival is given the prospect to signify Italy on the Eurovision, nonetheless the 2025 winner Olly determined to not go ahead.
Instead the Italian entry went to Sanremo runner-up Lucio Corsi who got here fifth on the Eurovision in Basel together with his hit music Volevo essere un duro.
The 2026 Eurovision in Vienna would be the 51st version during which Italy will compete, nonetheless the entry by subsequent yr’s chosen act will actually be Italy’s 53rd Eurovision music.
In 1956 every nation introduced two songs to the competitors, together with the music Fai rumore by Diodato, the Italian music prepared for the Eurovision in Rotterdam 2020 which was cancelled as a result of covid.
Italy final gained the Eurovision in 2021, courtesy of Måneskin, following victories by Totò Cutugno in 1990 and Gigliola Cinquetti in 1964.
Photo credit score: Ben Houdijk / Shutterstock.com.
