{
  "id": 16888553,
  "title": "Eurovision confirms candidates for 2027 — but 2 EU countries are still on the fence",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/eurovision-confirms-candidates-for-2027-but-2-eu-countries-are-still",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-28T11:15:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Politico EU",
    "slug": "politico-eu",
    "url": "https://www.politico.eu/article/eurovision-candidates-2027-spain-slovenia-undecided/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The European Broadcasting Union has announced the candidates for next year's Eurovision Song Contest, taking place in Burgas, Bulgaria in May. A total of 36 countries will participate in the event. However, Spain and Slovenia remain undecided about their involvement, as they boycotted the 2026 contest due to Israel's participation following the Gaza war sparked by the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023. Ireland, the Netherlands, and Iceland are also boycotting the 2027 contest. The EBU has given Spain and Slovenia until December to confirm their participation, considering the complexity of the situation. The controversy surrounding Israel's participation has led the EBU to change its rules earlier this year, blocking countries involved in armed conflict or other \"sensitive geopolitical situations\" from hosting the contest. Canada is set to make its debut in the contest for 2027, while North Macedonia will return after a four-year absence. Czechia will not participate in 2027 due to financial reasons.",
  "summary": "Ireland, the Netherlands and Iceland will once again boycott the competition next year.",
  "key_points": [
    "36 countries confirmed for 2027 Eurovision in Burgas, Bulgaria",
    "Spain and Slovenia undecided, boycotted 2026 contest over Israel",
    "Canada debuting, North Macedonia returns, Czechia absent due to finances"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Geopolitical tensions and financial constraints are fracturing the contest's traditional lineup, forcing the EBU to navigate a landscape where political boycotts and new hosting rules reshape participant stability.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}