Ira Losco will take the stage in the second half of the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest in May.

The allocation of countries for the two semi-finals was drawn this morning at Stockholm's City Hall, but the order of participation still has to be decided.

The first semi-final will be held on May 10 and the second on May 12.

A total of 43 countries are taking part in this year's contest of which 37 are in the semi-finals. The others are hosts Sweden and the 'big 5' countries that sponsor most of the show - France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom and Spain). Eighteen  countries will perform in the first semi final and 19 in the second. 

Ten countries will qualify from each semi-final to proceed to the final on May 14.

Meanwhile, Ira Losco was greeted by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat at Castille today. While congratulating her for her triumph at the Malta Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, he said his children had also voted for her.

In comments to Times of Malta later, Losco said she was open to the idea of singing a different song at the final competition in Sweden in May.

The rules allow for the song to be altered and even to be changed completely, she said.  This, however, was not her choice and it was PBS, the entity responsible for the Malta entry, to decide.

“I am open to the idea if it improves our chances of winning,” she said, adding that she understood some people would not be keen on the idea.