Montenegro withdraws from Eurovision 2023

Montenegro is outside Eurovision 2023. The list of countries competing at Eurovision Song Contest 2023 may be smaller than last year following Montenegro's withdrawal from the race.

In a statement, the country's broadcaster confirmed his withdrawal from the music contest and reasoned on the decision.

The rumours of this possibility had circulated on the internet and have already been confirmed by the broadcaster himself, justifying their decision primarily on the budget needed for participation.

“Crahas significant cost registration fee, as well as the cost of staying in the United Kingdom, faced lack of interest from sponsors. With that said, we decided that the existing resources to direct them to the financing of current and planned national projects and organisational and programming reforms”, RTCG writes in a statement.

Montenegro was withdrawn from Eurovision in 2019 and returned this year with Vladana's “Breathe”.

As an independent state has participated in Eurovision Song Conference 12 times since their debut in 2007.

They've qualified in the grand final 2 out of 12 times: in 2014 with the song “I'm making Sergey Cetkovic's Sviet” and in 2015 with the song “Adio” of Knez.

He finished 13th instead, which is also the best result for Montenegro.