Eurovision winner Duncan Laurence publicly supports the AVROTROS decision to withdraw from Eurovision 2027, citing the contest’s lost neutrality.
Screenshot: Eurovision.tv
For several weeks, the participation of the Netherlands in Eurovision 2027 has been under a major question mark following the controversy and the decision to withdraw from Eurovision 2026 due to the participation of Israel. Now, a new critique arrives from a prominent figure in the industry, siding with the decision of the Dutch national broadcaster, AVROTROS, to not participate in the contest to be held in 2027 in Burgas, Bulgaria, while the Dutch corporation NPO begins looking for alternatives to step in instead.
In an interview on the Dutch talk show “Eva”, broadcast on NPO 1, Duncan Laurence, who brought the trophy to the Netherlands at Eurovision 2019 held in Tel Aviv with the song “Arcade“, shared his personal opinion regarding everything happening around his country’s participation controversy.
The singer shared with heavy sorrow that, from his perspective, he acknowledges the significant changes the contest has undergone since his victory, seemingly referring to the loss of neutrality in the music competition:
“I don’t see the same Eurovision Song Contest as I did when I won. There’s a completely different atmosphere now. For me, the Eurovision Song Contest was a commitment”.
Additionally, Laurence addressed the decision of the national broadcaster AVROTROS to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest for 2027 and expressed understanding for it:
“I feel like: can’t it change entirely and become more fun? But I do understand.
The moment the commitment for which the Song Contest is organized in the first place isn’t there… Well, then perhaps that choice has to be made”.
Ilse DeLange Opposes the Boycott
In stark contrast to his words and his understanding of the withdrawal decision, another prominent voice in the Dutch music industry is being heard – one that opposes the boycotting of the contest, maintains a warm affinity for Israel, and calls for a return to the stage. Ironically, it is Ilse DeLange, who represented the Netherlands at Eurovision 2014 and reached second place as part of the duo The Common Linnets with the song “Calm After The Storm“, and who held a key role in the Dutch delegation at Eurovision 2019, accompanying Laurence himself to his victory in Tel Aviv.
In a recent interview, DeLange clarified that she is ready to join the effort and assist the Dutch corporation NPO on the artistic side, in an attempt to ensure the participation of the Netherlands in Eurovision 2027. DeLange, whose rich experience in the contest is deeply intertwined with positive experiences from Israel, projects a message of optimism amidst the political dramas and did not even rule out the possibility of representing the country herself, leaving hope for the return of the Netherlands to the competition alongside Israel.
Will the Netherlands Return to Eurovision?
While the announcement from the national broadcaster clarified that it has no intention of returning to the Eurovision Song Contest, it did not provide an unequivocal answer regarding the country’s participation. AVROTROS is only a part of the Dutch public broadcasting system, and the Dutch public broadcasting corporation NPO is authorized to make changes to the national broadcaster responsible for Eurovision participation. Last night, in addition to declaring its non-participation, AVROTROS announced that it is handing the responsibility for participating in the Eurovision Song Contest back to NPO.
Now, the Dutch public broadcasting corporation will determine the future of the Netherlands in the contest. The corporation could select another national broadcaster willing to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, and despite the boycott by AVROTROS, the Netherlands might still return to the competition.
The Netherlands at Eurovision 2025
“C’est La Vie” is the title of the song performed by Claude, who represented the Netherlands at Eurovision 2025. The Netherlands qualified for the Grand Final after placing third in the first semi-final with 121 points. In the Grand Final, the Netherlands finished in 12th place with 175 points, with the jury awarding the country fifth place, but the public at home ranking it only 15th.
Eurovision 2025: This was the Netherlands’ 65th participation in Eurovision. The Netherlands joined the competition in 1956, was one of the seven founding countries, and has won it five times over the years. The Netherlands’ last victory was at Eurovision 2019 with the song “Arcade” performed by singer Duncan Laurence.
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