THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The Netherlands will participate in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest taking place in Switzerland, although the vibrant artist Joost Klein, who was expelled from this year’s event following a backstage incident, has chosen not to represent the nation.

On Wednesday, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS announced that it was pleased with the newly established regulations set forth by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). These changes were implemented after the turmoil surrounding this year’s contest in Sweden, which involved Klein’s ejection from the competition.

A member of the production team accused Klein of making threats during the semi-finals held in Malmo. The matter was subsequently reported to Swedish law enforcement, who ultimately decided not to pursue criminal charges. Despite being a frontrunner for victory, Klein was prohibited from participating in rehearsals and missed out on the final event.

Klein had been contemplating whether to take part in the contest again. In a statement, he expressed, “My team and I had everything prepared, but it doesn’t feel right. I need to take more time for myself to recover.”

Despite Klein’s absence, Dutch fans of Eurovision can celebrate as the nation confirms its participation in the 2025 contest. “Following numerous discussions and consultations, we’ve received ample assurances from the EBU regarding substantial changes at the festival,” AVROTROS indicated in its announcement.

The 2025 event in Basel will feature significantly reduced backstage filming, the appointment of a safety manager, and designated safe spaces for the performers. Initially, it was uncertain whether the Dutch would return to the 69th edition of the competition. AVROTROS previously labeled Klein’s expulsion as “very severe and disproportionate.”

Klein’s entry, titled “Europapa,” a lively Euro-techno tribute celebrating the continent’s diversity and honoring his parents, who passed away when he was young, was seen as a strong contender for the win. Instead, the title was claimed by Nemo, representing Switzerland, who garnered the highest score from both national juries and viewers worldwide.

Currently, AVROTROS is on the lookout for a new Dutch contestant, inviting interested artists to submit their applications before the deadline of November 22.