After disqualification in Malmö back in May, the Netherlands’ Eurovision 2025 remained jeopardy for months. Now, after a series of talks with the EBU, the Western European nation has confirmed its participation in Basel. But with one surprise: Joost Klein won’t be the Dutch act.
Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS confirmed the country’s participation on Wednesday night with a statement on Instagram and on their web site.
The statement reads:
“AVROTROS will take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Switzerland. After months of conversations and meetings, the broadcaster has received enough guarentees from the EBU that there will be structural changes at the song contest. Joost Klein has received the opportunity to take part again. But he has decided to turn down the offer. The submission windows from new songs for 2025 has now opened.”
In an additional statement online, the broadcaster added:
“Together with other countries, AVROTROS has insisted on structural changes behind and in front of the cameras of the Eurovision Song Contest. With a package of measures that has been put forward, the broadcaster is satisfied and positively looks to the future. There are concrete measures that have been carried out, inluding:
- the inclusion of a safety manager in the artists bubble;
- the gross reduction of filming behind the scenes;
- a safe space for artists behind the scenes where they won’t be disturbed
- a crisis team consisting of representatives of the EBU, participating countries and the organising broadcaster, so weighty decisions are being made democratically;
- the appointment of Martin Green as the new Director, who is going to oversee these changes;
AVROTROS will continuely to monitor this process closely, but it hopeful and has trust in the renewal of the biggest music festival of Europe.”
The Netherlands’ Eurovision 2025 plans
In addition, AVROTROS announced that the window for submitting new entries for 2025 will run for exactly one month until 23 November. The rules published on the AVROTROS website indicate that the intention of the broadcaster is to announce the act in December.
Additionally, AVROTROS states that they only allow entries from artists that are connected to record labels and have notable stage experience.
Who do you want to represent the Netherlands at Eurovision 2025? Are you sad Joost Klein won’t be there? Let us know in the comments down below!
