Germany Seeks Eurovision Glory: Stefan Raab Leads the Charge for Basel 2025
Germany is gearing up for a highly anticipated national final on Saturday evening (8:15 PM CET, ARD) to select its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, which will be held in Basel, Switzerland. This year’s selection process carries extra weight, largely due to the prominent involvement of television personality and music producer Stefan Raab, known for his Eurovision expertise. Raab, along with his team, has played a significant role in curating the pool of potential candidates, injecting renewed hope into Germany’s Eurovision aspirations after years of disappointing results.
While Raab’s influence is undeniable in the artist selection, the ultimate decision of who will represent Germany rests firmly with the public. Viewers across the nation will have the power to cast their votes via phone calls, text messages, and online voting, ensuring a democratic process in choosing the act destined for the Eurovision stage.
The initial pool of contestants vying for the coveted spot comprises nine diverse acts, each bringing their unique musical style to the table:
- Moss Kena: A British singer-songwriter known for his soulful vocals and catchy melodies. He offers an international flair to the competition.
- JULIKA: A singer hailing from Düsseldorf, Julika brings a contemporary pop sensibility and a powerful stage presence.
- Benjamin Braatz: A musician from Hagen, Benjamin presents a blend of genres, possibly hinting at rock or pop influences, and his songwriting skills could be a key asset.
- COSBY: A band from Munich, COSBY will inject energy and group dynamics into the contest. Their genre is not revealed, but they likely offer a pop or indie sound.
- Abor & Tynna: This sibling duo presents harmonic vocals and could offer a unique blend of musical styles. Their familial connection could translate into a strong stage chemistry.
- LEONORA: A songwriter from Wuppertal, LEONORA has already proven her talent. Her ability to write compelling songs can make her a major contender.
- LYZA: A singer from Berlin, LYZA brings urban and pop influences to the competition. Her modern, cool style could appeal to a broad audience.
- The Great Leslie: A British-German band, The Great Leslie offers a blend of cultures and their unique sound is possibly indie or alternative.
- Feuerschwanz: This Middle Ages rock band brings a very unique sound to the competition. They are certain to add a wild card aspect to the show.
The format of the national final will see each of the nine hopefuls perform two songs: a cover version of an established hit and their original entry which would potentially be performed on the Eurovision stage in Basel. This allows the audience and jury to assess the artists’ versatility, vocal abilities, and stage presence across familiar and original material. The vast number of submissions, exceeding 3,200, underlines the intense competition and the widespread desire to represent Germany at Eurovision.
According to NDR, the public broadcaster responsible for Germany’s Eurovision participation, the final show, titled "Chefsache ESC 2025" (which translates to "Chief’s Matter ESC 2025"), will be structured in two distinct rounds. Initially, a jury panel will narrow down the field, selecting five acts deemed to possess the most potential. This selection will be based on criteria such as vocal quality, song composition, stage presence, and overall suitability for the Eurovision stage. In the final round, the power shifts entirely to the public, who will then cast their votes to determine the ultimate winner.
The jury panel itself is a blend of experience and musical expertise. Stefan Raab, the mastermind behind the selection process, will be joined by Yvonne Catterfeld, a renowned German singer and actress; Conchita Wurst, the iconic Austrian Eurovision winner of 2014; and Nico Santos, a popular German singer-songwriter. The familiar face of Elton, a regular jury member, will be absent due to a prior engagement. Barbara Schöneberger, a seasoned presenter, will guide the audience through the evening, ensuring a smooth and entertaining show.
The primary objective of this rigorous selection process is to identify an artist and song capable of competing for victory in Basel. Germany’s recent track record at Eurovision has been less than stellar, with the country consistently finishing at the bottom of the leaderboard. Since 2015, Germany has often found itself in the last or second-to-last position. The few exceptions to this trend include Michael Schulte’s impressive fourth-place finish in 2018 and Isaak’s respectable twelfth-place showing last year. This history underscores the urgent need for a revitalized approach and a winning formula.
Stefan Raab’s involvement adds a layer of optimism to this year’s selection process. He is widely regarded as a Eurovision specialist, primarily due to his instrumental role in Lena Meyer-Landrut’s victory in 2010. After a period away from the competition, his return has sparked considerable excitement among fans. Adding to the intrigue, ARD has partnered with RTL, Raab’s new home television station, for this project. Three preliminary shows of "Chefsache ESC 2025" were broadcast on RTL, while the final will be broadcast on ARD, eurovision.de, the ARD media library, and ONE, ensuring wide accessibility for viewers.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 final will take place on May 17th in Basel. Stefan Raab has explicitly stated that his goal is to secure the first-place position for Germany. This ambition reflects the high expectations surrounding this year’s selection process and the collective desire to restore Germany’s reputation as a competitive force in the Eurovision arena. With a revamped selection process, a talented pool of artists, and the experienced guidance of Stefan Raab, Germany is determined to make a significant impact on the Eurovision stage in Basel.
