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.
