The direction of OGAE Portugal had a meeting with RTP earlier today, where they met with Dr. José Lopes De Araújo who is responsible for contracts between RTP and the EBU. At this meeting, it was announced that Portugal will not be taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016.

The head of the public television also indicated that a comeback is already planned for 2017, but with a completely new strategy, and a new approach to the Contest.

Portugal withdrew from the Contest in 2013 for one year, and came back the following year, when Suzy represented her country with “Quero ser tua”, and just missed out from the Grand Final. This year Portugal sent Leonor Andrade with “Se um mar que nos separa”, which also missed out from the Grand Final. The last time Portugal qualified for the Grand Final in Eurovision was back in 2010 with Filipa Azevedo and “Ha dias assim”, which finished in 18th place.