A Spark of Hope: Bosnia and Herzegovina, which withdrew from the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017 due to financial debts to the EBU, may return to Eurovision following a legal victory granting substantial financial compensation.
Bosnia & Herzegovina persists in its financial struggle due to the debts owed by the national broadcaster, BHRT, to the EBU. Recently, however, a new development emerged: the Supreme Court of Republika Srpska in Bosnia ruled in the country’s favor, potentially entitling it to the payment of debts amounting to millions of shekels. Last month, the national broadcaster BHRT officially confirmed that Bosnia and Herzegovina will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 to be held in Austria, due to the acute economic crisis and sanctions imposed by the EBU, which have not been lifted since the outstanding debt has remained unpaid for nearly a decade. Could Bosnia and Herzegovina settle its EBU debts and make a Eurovision comeback?
Sanctions on the Bosnian National Broadcaster
BHRT currently owes the EBU about 10 million euros, a debt that led to sanctions imposed on Bosnia & Herzegovina in December 2016. These included disconnection from the EBU news exchange and limited access to events and competitions such as the Eurovision Song Contest. As a result, Bosnia and Herzegovina has not participated in Eurovision 2017 and since. The absence from Eurovision has further hampered the growth of the local music industry, limited exposure for young musicians, and reduced the country’s cultural relevance in Europe. But is there hope for the country’s return to the contest?
The Supreme Court of Republika Srpska ruled in favor of the Bosnian national broadcaster BHRT regarding unpaid debts owed by RTRS, the public broadcaster of Republia Srpska. For years, RTRS had failed to transfer its share of revenue from broadcasting fees collected across Bosnia & Herzegovina to BHRT, causing increased debt for BHRT and prompting legal action.
Possible Return to Eurovision?
The Supreme Court overturned two lower court decisions in separate proceedings, ruling that the competent authorities in the Republic can no longer rely on arguments previously used to dismiss BHRT’s claims. This decision came after the Constitutional Court of the Federation of Bosnia & Herzegovina determined that BHRT’s rights had been violated. The Supreme Court has called for a retrial on the matter, giving Bosnia & Herzegovina renewed hope in its legal battle.
Although key facts have been established, the process of recovering the debt is not yet complete. BHRT reports that RTRS owes it over 98 million marks for eight years, during which the legally allocated funds were not transferred. If the debt is resolved, BHRT may be able to pay off its outstanding debt to the EBU and possibly return to the Eurovision Song Contest after nearly a decade.
Bosnia and Herzegovina in Eurovision 2016
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most recent participation was in Eurovision 2016, held in Stockholm, Sweden, where, for the first time in its history, the country failed to qualify for the grand final. Dalal & Deen feat. Ana Rucner & Jala were internally selected by the national broadcaster and represented the country with “Ljubav Je,” after the group members offered to cover participation costs themselves through private sponsorships. The group did not advance to the final, finishing 11th in the first semi-final with 104 points – 26 from juries and 78 from the public vote. Bosnia and Herzegovina was 29 points short of 10th place, Croatia, and thus missed out on the grand final.
Previously, Bosnia and Herzegovina had missed three consecutive contests between 2013 and 2015. Since the 2016 contest, the country has not participated in any subsequent Eurovision broadcasts.
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Ilay Gaist is a leading Israeli content creator and writer specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. He is a well-known commentator with extensive expertise in the contest’s history, rules, and dynamics. His passion for Eurovision drives him to deliver rich, professional, and innovative content to his audience.
Ilay holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic and has a multilingual background. He also engages in cultural research, with a particular focus on global culinary traditions and the evolution of local cuisines around the world.
