Montenegro's Eurovision act Lavina cites alleged blackmail as director blames Serbia and Croatia

Montenegro’s Eurovision entry, the group Lavina, has said they almost withdrew from their live performance after receiving comments from Eurovision organizers that they interpreted as blackmail. The members told RTS they were unsure “whether we would even go on stage.”

The controversy revives a long‑standing dispute dating back to 2006, when jurors from Serbia and Montenegro voted for each other’s contestants during the national final, sparking public outrage and the eventual withdrawal of the Montenegrin act “No name.” Danijel Alibabić, a former member of that group and now artistic director of the Montesong festival, argues that Serbia and Croatia’s voting patterns this year prevented Montenegro from reaching the Eurovision final. He said, “If Croats and Serbs had rated us as they did, there would be a place for us in the final.”

Alibabić also recalled the 2006 scandal, noting that the song “Ludi letnji ples” remains a popular hit and that many still view the past voting decisions as unjust. The current dispute highlights ongoing regional tensions within the Eurovision voting system.