North Macedonia confirms Eurovision return

North Macedonia’s public broadcaster has confirmed that the country will return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027 after several years out of the competition. MRT Director General Zoran Ristoski said in a statement dated May 22 that the broadcaster would take part in the next edition and would prepare an entry for 2027. ESCToday first reported the confirmation on Friday, citing MRT and Ristoski. North Macedonia last competed in Eurovision in 2022, before sitting out subsequent contests. ### What exactly did MRT confirm? Zoran Ristoski said on May 22 that MRT would return North Macedonia to Eurovision in 2027. ESCToday reported that the broadcaster had confirmed participation and would begin work on its 2027 entry. The report did not name a performer, songwriter or selection date. MRT’s statement amounts to the clearest public confirmation yet from the broadcaster after months of reporting that it was considering a comeback. (esctoday.com) Earlier coverage in December said the broadcaster was targeting a possible return in 2027 while skipping the 2026 contest. ### How long has North Macedonia been away? (esctoday.com) North Macedonia last appeared at Eurovision in 2022. ESCToday’s earlier report in December said MKRTV, the national broadcaster, would not compete in 2026 but was looking at 2027 instead. Several Eurovision outlets described the new decision as a return after a four- or five-year gap, depending on whether the count begins from the last participation or the first missed contest. (esctoday.com) Andrea represented North Macedonia in Turin in 2022 with “Circles,” according to prior reporting on the broadcaster’s Eurovision plans. She did not qualify for that year’s grand final. ### Why had the broadcaster been expected to stay out? December reporting from ESCToday said MKRTV would not return for Eurovision 2026. (esctoday.com) Other Eurovision-focused outlets said North Macedonia’s earlier withdrawals were tied to financial pressure and the effects of the energy and economic crisis cited by the broadcaster in previous years. (eurovoix.com) May 21 reporting from EurovisionFun said Ristoski told an MRT Public Programme Council meeting that he had held talks with representatives of the European Broadcasting Union and could say “with certainty” that North Macedonia would send an entry in 2027. That report also said he described a more transparent selection era at MRT. Reuters could not independently review the full MRT statement beyond the reports published Friday. (esctoday.com) ### Did MRT say how it will pick the act? ESCToday said MRT would enter selection processes for 2027, but its report did not set out a timetable or identify whether the broadcaster would use an internal choice or a national final. The report also did not identify any shortlisted artists. Ristoski was also reported by EurovisionFun as linking the Eurovision return to broader changes in how MRT chooses representatives, pointing to an already announced public call tied to Junior Eurovision 2026. (eurovisionfun.com) That statement has been echoed by other Eurovision outlets covering the council meeting. (esctoday.com) ### What comes next before Eurovision 2027? The next milestone is MRT’s selection process for its 2027 entry. ESCToday said only that the broadcaster would prepare a song and participant for the contest, with no artist, song title or calendar announced as of May 22. North Macedonia’s formal participation list for Eurovision 2027 will depend on the broadcaster’s submission to the European Broadcasting Union ahead of next year’s contest. (eurovisionfun.com) (esctoday.com)