San Marino ponders withdrawal from the musical competition.
San Marino, the tiny European nation that has been a regular participant in the Eurovision Song Contest, is currently observing its participation in the 2026 contest. This decision comes amidst concerns about the transparency and fairness of the voting methods used by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organiser of the competition.
The General Director of San Marino RTV, Roberto Sergio, has mentioned ongoing discussions with the EBU regarding a new voting system proposed for the semi-finals and final. However, no common ground has been reached yet[1][4].
The concerns about the EBU's voting system stem from the perceived disadvantages for small states in the competition. Federico Pedini Amati, the Tourism State Secretary of San Marino, has spoken out about these issues, stating that small countries are allegedly disadvantaged in the contest[2].
In the past, countries with fewer inhabitants have struggled to score in the televoting, even if their contributions are of good quality[5]. This issue was also a point of contention in the Eurovision Song Contest held in Basel in 2023, and it has been a topic of discussion in relation to the Austrian Song Contest as well[6].
The situation is not unique to San Marino. In 2025, ESC member countries Andorra and Monaco had already withdrawn from the contest in advance, citing similar concerns[7].
Despite these concerns, San Marino recognises the significant value Eurovision participation brings in terms of international visibility and cultural impact. Their national selection event, the San Marino Song Contest, was recently renewed until 2028, showing a continued commitment to Eurovision efforts at the national level[3].
Federico Pedini Amati has stated that San Marino is examining how to proceed regarding the contest[2]. The future participation of San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest remains uncertain, with a possible withdrawal not being ruled out.
References:
- San Marino RTV's statement on Eurovision 2026
- Interview with Federico Pedini Amati
- San Marino Song Contest renewal announcement
- EBU's proposal for new voting system
- Article on televoting disadvantages for small states
- Discussion on Austrian Song Contest disadvantages
- Withdrawal of Andorra and Monaco from Eurovision 2025
The General Director of San Marino RTV, Roberto Sergio, has mentioned ongoing discussions with the EBU regarding a new voting system proposed for the semi-finals and final, aiming to address the concerns about the perceived disadvantages for small states in the Eurovision Song Contest, such as San Marino, in securing a fair representation. The concerns about the EBU's voting system stem from the allegations that small countries often struggle to score in the televoting, even with music of good quality.
