German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that he would support Germany withdrawing from Eurovision 2026 if Israel is excluded.
Speaking to public broadcaster ARD on Sunday, Chancellor Merz was asked whether Germany should voluntarily withdraw if EBU members vote to remove Israel from the competition.
“I would support this,” he said. “I think it’s a scandal that this is even being discussed. Israel has a place there.”
Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz says he’d support Eurovision withdrawal if Israel is excluded
The chancellor’s comments come ahead of a crucial vote in early November during which members of the European Broadcasting Union will vote on whether to exclude Israel from the competition. His comments show the deep divisions within the Big 5 — the countries that contribute the most financially to Eurovision.
France Télévisions has already made it clear that it will participate in the contest regardless of which other countries are present to “reaffirm its support for musical creation, to artists, and for this unique event.” Spain’s RTVE, on the other hand, has said that it will withdraw if Israel competes in Vienna.
This sense of division continues among non-Big 5 broadcasters. Broadcasters in Ireland, The Netherlands, Iceland and Slovenia have threatened to pull out if Israel remains in the competition. Danish broadcaster DR has said it won’t withdraw over Israel’s participation, but that certain conditions must be met.
No country has been represented at the song contest more times than Germany, which has made 68 appearances since 1956. Besides its musical contributions, which include two wins in 1982 and 2010, it is also the contest’s biggest financial contributor.
It has the largest economy in Europe and the biggest population of all participating broadcasters. A German withdrawal would impact the contest’s budget and reduce viewing figures. In May, more than nine million viewers in Germany watched the grand final — the highest number in a decade and an increase of 1.18 million over the 2024 edition.
Despite Merz’s interview, it is ultimately Germany’s broadcaster that will make the decision about its participation.
As a german i rarely support anything Merz says. But he is totally right here. Israel belongs to Eurovision. You can always protest against war. But the way the radical mob tries to ban jewish people from basically everything is just disgusting. I don’t want my taxpayers money for ARD to be spend on a show that tries to appease these radical protestors.
I am a German too and totally agree here.
“Despite Merz’s interview, it is ultimately Germany’s broadcaster that will make the decision about its participation.”
The decision isn’t based off of his opinion, it’s based off of the broadcaster itself. One person (who isn’t even part of the German broadcaster) doesn’t represent the whole decision
This could be the first EVER contest without German particpation. A seventy year streak broken. Sad, but their own choice.
As a German I support Merz’s statement. The threatened ban is nonsense. Hopefully other countries will follow Germany’s lead.
This would be Germany’s first time out of the ESC since 1996 (when they failed that pre-qualification). Apart from that they’ve appeared in every Eurovision. I won’t mourn if they leave the contest; despite that one poll many Germans are removing their support for Israel, as they should.
They selected and entered a song for 1996, so really this would be the first time in Eurovision history without Germany’s participation.
Praying for peace to settle and having less drama in the 2026 edition
Germany is always on the wrong side in history.
Only thing i’m gonna say is that would make three times in a row.
Good.
My awakening was rude. We are truly governed by evil people in Germany and Austria. Even here, public opinion has long shifted despite us being gaslit like no other nations on earth when it comes to this topic. These politicians of course don’t know the first thing about Eurovision but now that it serves so well to show their unconditional support for Israel, might as well ruin a 70 year old institution in the process. Sickening. Especially coming from this guy whose government will make sure Germany wakes up with right wing extremism winning the next election. Ruining Germany isn’t… Read more »
Are you German? Just a genuine question out of interest
Like USA, Germany are just incapable of neutral evaluation of Israel’s actions. The legacy of their own role in its history weighs heavily.
I refuse this legacy. We don’t owe them anything.
I think Chancellor Merz also refuses the legacy. Unwittingly and stupidly. The legacy should not be unwavering support for Israel, it should be preventing mass slaughter from ever happening again. FAIL.
Exactly! No baby is ever born with guilt.
Bye Bye, what does Germany even add to eurovision, NOTHING
Do you know what Germany adds besides music – MONEY! And lots of it. If they stop supporting Eurovision, the othrr spinsors would have to pay more…..and they can’t. More importantly- hey they won’t!!
Who cares. Less money means less reliance on LED and perhaps we might need to rely on creative imagination again.
Money. And without our money Eurovision 2027 will be held in a small theatre.
Pick your poison: a Eurovision without Israel and Germany or a Eurovision without Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Netherlands, Iceland maybe even Portugal, Belgium and Poland as well.