Eurovision still in the cards for Estonia

TALLINN- The head public broadcaster ERR has said that there is no reasonnot to send Estonia's entry to this year's Eurovision Song Contest finals.

The CEO, Margus Allikmaa, told TheBaltic News Service that the topic of staying out Eurovision due to lackof funds has never come up on the board of ERR.

"But we cannot say anything certain in today's situation. It depends onhow far the budget cuts will go. The government has decided to cut the statebudget by eight billion kroons (511 mln euro), but it isn't quite clear yet howthe cuts will be divided," he said.

Allikmaa said that if the size of the cut in financing for ERR will be 10percent as was agreed, Estoniawill go to Eurovision. But if the cut is bigger, participation will becomequestionable.

The ruling coalition agreed last week that the budget of the publicbroadcaster will be cut by 27.4 million kroons from the present 391.4 millionkroons.