Luxembourg at Eurovision 2025: The government is delaying its decision – has the mediocre result led Luxembourg to consider another withdrawal from Eurovision?

Luxembourg, whם only returned to the Eurovision Song Contest last year after a prolonged 31-year absence, now finds itself at another crossroads. The country’s national broadcaster, RTL, has announced that no decision has yet been made regarding Luxembourg’s participation in the 70th edition of the contest, set for 2026. The matter currently hinges on ongoing discussions with the local government.

In a statement released by the national broadcaster, it was said:

“No decision has yet been made regarding our participation in Eurovision 2026. Talks are currently underway with the Luxembourg government, which funds the project, and a final decision is expected in the coming weeks”.

Disappointing Result in Basel: Will It Affect Future Participation?

Luxembourg took part in this year’s Eurovision, held in Basel, Switzerland, represented by Laura Thorn with the song “La poupée monte le son”. Despite high hopes for a strong showing, the country finished only in 22nd place with 47 points – Luxembourg’s lowest result since its return to the contest in 2024.

As is well known, Luxembourg’s dramatic comeback to Eurovision after more than three decades was met with relatively positive reviews, especially after finishing 13th in 2024 with Tali and the song “Fighter”. The comparison between the two years raises a clear question: has the disappointing result in 2025 led Luxembourg’s leadership to reconsider its investment in Eurovision?

Full Dependence on Budget: Will the Luxembourg Government Make Cuts?

While Luxembourg’s national broadcaster is responsible for producing and selecting the country’s representatives, it does not finance the project alone. According to the statement, Luxembourg’s participation in Eurovision is contingent on government funding; without it, participation would not be possible.

This is not a surprising situation in a country where cultural budgets rely heavily on government support. The key question is whether the government will see sufficient value in continued participation, especially in light of the lukewarm result in Basel and the significant expenses involved in preparing a Eurovision entry.

Internal Struggles or Political Considerations?

Although no details have been released regarding possible reasons for the government’s hesitation, it is likely that economic considerations are compounded by internal pressures, public criticism, or even political factors related to Luxembourg’s visibility on the European stage. Similar scenarios have been seen in the past, when smaller countries—such as Moldova and Romania—have given significant weight to budgetary concerns, leading them to withdraw or refrain from participating due to production costs, lack of success, or shifting national priorities.

Decision in the Coming Weeks – Will Luxembourg Continue Its Comeback Story?

As previously stated, the national broadcaster clarified that “no final decision has yet been made” and that a resolution is expected “in the coming weeks”. In other words, Luxembourg’s participation in Eurovision 2026 currently depends entirely on the government.

If a withdrawal is decided, it would be a major disappointment for fans who saw Luxembourg’s return as one of the most moving stories in recent years. On the other hand, if the decision is to continue, it would be an opportunity to improve on last year’s impression and re-establish Luxembourg as a musical force on the European stage.

Luxembourg in Eurovision 2025

“La poupée monte le son” (translated as: “The Doll Turns Up the Sound”) is the title of the song performed by singer Laura Thorn, who represented Luxembourg at Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. Laura’s song was written by Christophe Houssin and Julien Salvia, and also composed by Ludovic-Alexandre Vidal – this is these creators’ first song in the Eurovision competition. The song is performed in French. The country finished only in 22nd place with 47 points.

The song is a tribute to the immortal song with which Luxembourg won Eurovision 1965, 60 years ago – “Poupée de cire, poupée de son“. The song deals with female empowerment and liberation from outdated and limiting social patterns. The overall message is a call for women to rise above limiting perceptions, make their voices heard, and take control of their lives:

 

Laura Thorn – Who Are You?

Laura Thorn, a music teacher, plays piano and cello and has studied pop, country, and jazz music. Laura is a relatively new and anonymous singer in Luxembourg. Beyond her solid musical background, Laura also maintains her physical fitness with regular workouts that prepare her for the big stage, as the ambitious singer sees her body as an instrument in itself, and therefore aims to nurture it well. The workouts improve not only her physical fitness but also allow her to deliver excellent musical performances while working on her breathing.

Source: eurofestivales.

Eurovision 2025: This will be Luxembourg’s 39th participation in Eurovision. Luxembourg joined the competition in 1956, was one of the seven founding countries, and has won it five times over the years. Luxembourg’s last victory was at Eurovision 1983 with the song “Si la vie est cadeau” performed by singer Corinne Hermès. In 2024, Luxembourg returned to the competition after a 31-year absence.