The Republic of Macedonia, present in the contest as the "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" ("FYR Macedonia"), participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. It was represented by the song "Nešto što kje ostane" by the group Next Time. It earned tenth place in the first semi-final, failing to proceed to the final round.

A possible withdrawal of Macedonia from the 2009 contest was rumoured, due to financial difficulties within MKRTV which could have ended in bankruptcy or liquidation of the company. As such, there would have been no Macedonian broadcaster within the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the contest’s organisers, and so a withdrawal of Macedonia from the contest would have been inevitable.

Despite this, MKRTV confirmed Macedonia’s participation at the 2009 contest in Moscow, Russia.

MKRTV officially revealed that they were looking for a new selection method for the country for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. Weekly debate programs were held by MKRTV on television, which were used as a platform for discussion between MKRTV and the Macedonian public on how the selection process for the Macedonian entry can be fair and successful.

In November 2008, MKRTV revealed the new format of the Macedonian national final, Skopje Fest. Skopje Fest 2009 will consist of two semi-finals, each containing 16 songs, held on 19 and 20 February. The top 8 songs through a mixture of jury and televoting will progress to the final on 21 February, where the winner will be selected again by jury and televoting. Songs could be entered to MKRTV from 26 November to 25 December.

142 songs were received by MKRTV, and a jury selected the 32 songs that would compete in the semi-finals on 5 January 2009. The 32 semi-final songs and composers were revealed on 6 January, with 20 of the 32 performers being revealed on 15 January.

Some former participants are once again attempting to represent the nation at Eurovision. Kaliopi was selected as the Macedonian representative in 1996, but was eliminated in the preliminary round. She also competed in the 1998 and 2006 selections as a singer. Andrijana Janevska participated in Skopjefest 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2007; her greatest success being in 2002 where she was the runner-up. Risto Samardjiev participated in 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2008; never ending below fifth place. Other past participant are Ana Simonovska in 2002, Verce Pandilovska in 2000, Filip Jordanovski in 2006, and Vlatko Ilievski in 2008. Proekt Makedonija consists of Tuna who pariticpated in 2008, and Nikola Perevski and Vladimir Krstevski who wrote the 2002 Macedonian entry performed by Karolina Goceva.

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Wikipedia