Hungary has been absent from the Eurovision Song Contest since 2020.
Based on a report by the Hungarian outlet 24.hu, it seems that the wishful Eurovision comeback could be just around the corner for Eurovision 2027.
Why Did Hungary Withdraw From The Contest?
MTVA has never given official reasons for withdrawing from the contest.
Nevertheless, Hungary’s national public broadcaster, MTVA, stated that the decision was made to shift focus away from an international competition and instead channel financial and promotional resources directly into local Hungarian musicians and domestic music production. Rather than sending a winner to Eurovision, Hungary kept its selection show, A Dal, strictly as a platform for domestic pop music.
Changes in the Hungarian political climate may pave the path for a potential Eurovision comeback.
Multiple media outlets, including The Guardian, reported that internal MTVA sources alleged that the withdrawal was tied to the event’s strong associations with LGBTQ+ culture, which clashed with the socially conservative agenda of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government.
However, priorities seem to have shifted ever since the new government (led by Péter Magyar) took the lead in the country. Earlier this year, Péter Magyar commented: “There is no sense not to participate in such a contest.”
The Negotiations to Return
Based on the mentioned report, it seems that the EBU and the national broadcaster MRTV are already in progress to set the ground to return:
- MRTV will have an extended deadline to officially confirm its Eurovision 2027 participation. While regularly, countries have to confirm their participation by October, Hungary will have December 7th as the deadline.
- Reduction of the participation fee
- The final decision will be made by the management/board of the public broadcaster
Whether Hungary will actually return to the contest, we will still have to wait.
However, fingers are crossed for the return of one of the most diverse countries when it comes to music repertoire and track record.
Eurovision 2027 will be held in Burgas, Bulgaria on May 11th, 13th, 15th, 2027
