In a situation that has already begun in 2022 and is related to successive legal challenges, the competent Council responsible for electing the new Director General of Bulgarian National Television (BNT) appears to be initiating a new process to appoint the top position of BNT, with a timeline set for the upcoming October.
At a meeting held on July 15, 2025, following the implementation of a decision by the Supreme Administrative Court of Bulgaria, the members of the Council for Electronic Media and Information (CEM) failed to agree on the appointment of a new Director General for Bulgarian National Television, as none of the eight candidates managed to secure the required majority. The election process, which has been the subject of several legal appeals, stipulates that each Council member may vote either in favor or against each candidate, with abstentions not allowed. Among the eight candidates is the current acting Director General of BNT, Emil Kushlukov, while despite repeated voting rounds, the outcome remained unchanged.
A new submission deadline has been set for September 12, with candidate hearings scheduled for October 14 and 15, and the final decision regarding the appointment of the new Director General of Bulgarian National Television expected no later than October 16.
Hopes for a Return to Eurovision
The change of Director General may potentially lead to a shift in BNT’s stance towards the Eurovision Song Contest, with a crucial factor being the choice of the person who will take over the leadership of Bulgaria’s public broadcaster, as well as their position on a possible return to the Contest and the financial capabilities of the organization. Given that the election process is expected to conclude by mid-October, a return of the country within 2026 seems unlikely unless there is strong intention and determination from the new Director General. So far, none of the eight candidates have publicly stated their intention regarding the country’s return to the Contest.
In a period marked by the gradual but steady withdrawal and non-return of Balkan and Eastern European countries from Eurovision, a possible return of Bulgaria would carry real and special symbolic value, potentially initiating efforts to re-engage Balkan states and other countries that systematically abstain from the Contest due to financial difficulties. These countries offer strong and interesting entries, making Eurovision a genuine space of interaction and cohesion (at least musically) among European nations — a role that risks being undermined by successive withdrawals.
Withdrawal from the Contest
Bulgaria withdrew from Eurovision in 2023, with the public broadcaster (BNT) citing increased costs and limited resources for the country’s participation in the Contest. Although in May 2024 a group of well-known Bulgarian artists attended the event in Malmö in an effort to revive the country’s presence at Eurovision, in December of the same year BNT announced that it does not plan to return in the near future.
As a country with a significant presence in the Contest, Bulgaria managed to gather the love and interest of fans and media alike, coming close to victory in 2017 with the song “Beautiful Mess”, which achieved second place in Kyiv. Bulgaria’s last participation was in 2022 in Turin with the group Intelligent Music Project and the song “Intention”, which, however, failed to qualify for the grand final.
Would you like to see Bulgaria return to Eurovision?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Source: BTA
Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the latest updates!
The post Bulgaria: Election of New Director General for Public Television — Hopes for a Eurovision Return? appeared first on Eurovision News | Music | Fun.
