Serbian jury awards zero points to Croatia at Eurovision 2026, prompting widespread criticism

At the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final in Vienna, the Serbian expert jury gave the Croatian act Lelek no points, while the Serbian televote awarded the group a maximum 12 points. Aleksandra Kovač, president of the Serbian jury, posted on Instagram insisting that jurors voted solely on musical criteria and that each member voted independently, denying any political motivation.

The decision sparked a wave of backlash on social media. Serbian television commentator Ilija Jandrić accused the national broadcaster RTS of being under Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić’s control, suggesting the jury’s zero score was politically driven. Bosnian‑Herzegovinian actor and presenter Dragan Marinković “Maca” called the jurors “fools” and criticised the lack of points for Croatia. Numerous online comments demanded accountability from the Serbian jury.

Despite the controversy, Croatia’s Lelek expressed satisfaction with reaching the final and finishing 15th, noting the experience as a major achievement for the two‑year‑old group. The episode highlights the intertwining of cultural competition and regional politics in the Eurovision arena.