Bosnia and Herzegovina has pulled out of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo. The difficult financial state in which the national broadcaster, BHRT, is in was the main reason for the withdrawal. It comes a month after Bosnia confirmed its participation to the EBU. “The BHRT board has decided not to send a song to the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest. BHRT sent a preliminary participation confirmation at the beginning of the month with a clause that it would fully make its decision by December 15”, a statement from the broadcaster reads.
The broadcaster states it has given its all to participate in Malmo however the financial crisis and recession have taken their toll. BHRT will broadcast the event live next year. The country first participated as an independent nation in 1993. Its best result came in 2005 when Hari Mata Hari performed “Lejla” and came third. It was one of the rare nations to have qualified each year to the final since the semi final system was introduced in 2004.