RÚV plans to hold a series of semifinals to choose the song for the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest in Athens, according to Jóhanna Jóhannsdóttir of the Icelandic public television broadcaster. These plans mark the end of a short period in which Iceland's Eurovision Song Contest entry was selected internally.

In an open contest, composers and songwriters can submit entries, to be selected by a selection committee. �The plan is to have 24 songs in the competition, competing in three shows live on Saturday night. From each show, at least four songs, chosen by televoting, will go on to the final. This should lead to a final with up with 12 or possibly 15 songs. We are still putting the final touches to our plans, it might change”, Jóhannsdóttir said to our colleagues of DotEurovision.com.

During the shows, the songs will be presented in Icelandic only, although the winner will be allowed to translate the song into another language for the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest.

A national final will take place on either 4 or 11 February next year.