Lithuania’s public broadcaster says is not considering withdrawing from Eurovision

VILNIUS - Following Ireland and the Netherlands’ announcement that they will boycott next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, the Lithuanian public broadcaster, Lithuanian Radio and Television (LRT), has stated it is not considering such a move and is adhering to the common position of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

"LRT adheres to the position of the European Broadcasting Union and is not currently considering the possibility of withdrawing from the Eurovision Song Contest. The EBU decides on matters related to the organization of the contest, and LRT, as a member of the EBU, adheres to and respects the decisions made collectively within the organization," the broadcaster’s administration said in comments sent to BNS.

"At the same time, LRT is already preparing for next year’s contest - artists are invited to submit applications and participate in the 2027 national selection EUROVIZIJA.LT," it added.

The Netherlands and Ireland will boycott the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 after their public broadcasters decided to snub the competition due to Israel's participation in the contest and concerns about the war in Gaza and the humanitarian situation in that territory.

Lithuania’s Lion Ceccah finished 22nd with the song "Solo quiero mas" at the Eurovision Song Contest final in Vienna in May.

The Netherlands, Iceland, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia all pulled out of the 2026 contest, with the latter three refusing to broadcast the show at all.

Next year's event will take place on May 15 in Bulgaria's Black Sea city of Burgas.