While Malta selects its first two participants in Opportunity 2 Challenge, the deadline to submit songs for Malta Song for Europe 2006 has been set. Composers and song writers have time until 5th December to finish their potential 2006 Eurovision Song Contest entries.

Foreign composers and writers are allowed to participate, but only if the country they are from also accepts foreigners in the national selection. This means, for example, that Belgian composers and writers are welcome to send in their music.

After the deadline, an internal jury will listen to the songs. 50 of them will participate in a selection behind closed doors. 16 of them will proceed to the final on 4th February, 2006, they will be joined by the two winners of Opportunity 2 Challenge.

Grace Borg, former head of the Maltasong board, resigned last week because of the foreign composers and song writers clause, that caused controversy last year. Businessman Robert Abela has been appointed designate chairman of the Maltasong board with immediate effect, after the Culture Ministry accepted the resignation of Borg. Esctoday.com had an exclusive interview with Grace Borg, which will be published soon!

As Chiara came second in Kyiv with her Angel, Malta qualified directly for the final of the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest, on 20th May in Athens.