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Albania's participation in Eurovision at risk due to debts inherited from Alfred Peza

Politiko 2025-09-11 17:44:19

Albania's participation in Eurovision at risk due to debts inherited from

Albania's participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is in serious jeopardy, as the national broadcaster, RTSH, is unable to meet its financial obligations to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

Foreign media write that the new director of Albania's public broadcaster, Eni Vasili, has admitted to Birn that RTSH is facing a serious financial crisis, following complaints from contributors who said they have not been paid for months.

The situation has been described as a "catastrophic level of debt and liabilities," with the new administration doing its best to manage the crisis.

Vasili stressed that there is a priority of payments, focusing on obligations to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to ensure Albania's participation in Eurovision.

"Some unpaid obligations as of January 2024 could put RTSH at risk of losing its partnership with the EBU and its participation in Eurovision," Vasili said.
"There is also the risk of international legal action for unpaid contracts with foreign collaborators," she added.

Vasili took office as general director in April, inheriting a broadcaster burdened with around 6 million euros in debt and around 1.8 million euros in legal expenses stemming from the abrupt dismissal of 150 employees by her predecessor, former politician Alfred Peza.

This uncertain situation creates uncertainty over Albania's participation in Eurovision 2026, as any failure to meet financial obligations to the EBU could jeopardize the broadcaster's cooperation and international broadcasting rights.

RTSH management is expected to soon review internal debts and make decisions aimed at financial stabilization, in order to avoid losing one of the broadcaster's most important annual events, its participation in Eurovision.

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