Netherlands will participate in Eurovision next year, maybe with Joost Klein: report
The Netherlands will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel next year and Joost Klein, who was disqualified this year, seems to be the favorite for a second chance, Parool reported. According to the newspaper’s sources, the wrinkles between the Dutch delegation and the organizer, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), have been largely ironed out after several consultations in recent months.
Klein was disqualified when he allegedly made a threatening movement toward a camerawoman after his semi-final performance during this year's competition in Malmö, Sweden. This caused the woman to flinch and damage her camera. A few days earlier, the organization had already urged Klein to improve his behavior.
A criminal investigation was launched, but the Swedish prosecutor dropped the case against Klein after investigators were unable to uncover conclusive evidence that Klein made the gesture with the intent of causing serious fear. The camerawoman said she will not appeal against the decision, putting an official end to the investigation.
Dutch broadcaster Avrotros saw the Prosecutor’s decision to drop the case against Klein as confirmation that the Dutch performer’s disqualification was disproportionate. It raised doubts about whether the Netherlands would participate if the song contest did not make reforms. According to Parool, discussions about this topic have yielded results and the Netherlands will participate next year.
That doesn’t leave Avrotros with much time to find a new contestant. The preparation process for an artist takes at least six months, and the Netherlands must submit a definitive version of its entry by 1 March 2025.
Avrotros will, therefore, probably not go with the usual open submissions and audition rounds. Sources told Parool and RTL Nieuws that the broadcaster has already spoken to Joost Klein about participating next year.
According to Parool, there is a good chance that Klein will represent the Netherlands again. Avrotros wants to give him the chance to finish the job, and other artists like Davina Michelle are hesitant to go, the newspaper’s sources said. Sending Klein again will also reinforce Avrotros’s position that his disqualification was unjustified. The EBU’s regulations have no grounds to refuse Klein.
