ETV, the Estonian broadcaster, has published the new rules for the next Estonian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest – Eurolaul 2008. ETV will be using a new system again with 6 reserved places and 4 spots open for free competition.

There will be 10 songs in the final and the broadcaster has reserved 6 places for well-known composers. They include Alar Kotkas (co-author of several Estonianentries – Once in a lifetime (2000), Runaway (2002) and Looking through my window (2006)), Elmar Liitmaa (has participated in the Estonian final on several occasions), Priit Pajusaar (co-author of the Estonian entries Kaelakee hääl (1996), Diamond of night (1997) andLooking through my window (2006)), Rein Rannap (well-known composer in Estonia, also apianist), Hendrik Sal-Saller (popular musician and composer, also the author of the unsuccessfull Partners in crime from last year) and Timo Steiner (a composer and TV-show host).

For the remaining four positions a public competition is announced.The jury will choose the entries in November and the full list will be revealed on 1stDecember in a special TV-show "Kes pääses finaali?" ("Who got into the final?").

The deadline for sending in songs is 26th November 2007 15.00 EET. So far it's not clear whether international authors can participate or not.

The songs will be broadcast onTV on 26th January and Eurolaul 2008 will be on air in February.Estonia has to go through the semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest next year due to the bad result at the 2007Eurovision Song Contestwith Gerli Padar'sperformance of the songPartners in crime.