by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed




Montenegro’s national broadcaster RTCG unveils new details about “Montesong”, the national final set to choose Montenegro’s representative for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna.

Vladana Vučinić, Montenegro’s representative at Eurovision 2022 and the main producer of the national pre-selection “Montesong”ת which will choose Montenegro’s representative for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, reveals new details about this year’s contest.




In an interview, Vučinić highlighted several updates and improvements to this year’s national final:

“We will try to make the pre-selection even better than last year. There are several changes, such as a larger venue and more substantial production support from the national broadcaster. In addition, artists will enjoy greater creative freedom. They can sing in any language they wish, unlike last year when they were obliged to perform at least 51% of the lyrics in Montenegrin”.

Vučinić also spoke about the expectations from the artists and the songs:

“We will select up to 16 songs for the national pre-selection, but we cannot guarantee this exact number. The jury will make the final decision. We want to see more musical creativity. Eurovision demands high creativity these days, so give your best in those three minutes”.

“Montesong” is expected to take place at the end of 2025 in Podgorica. Will Montenegro manage to qualify for the final this time? Only time will tell.




Rules for “Montesong 2025”:

RTCG revealed the regulations for the second edition of the contest, which will serve as the country’s pre-selection for Eurovision 2026:

  • All songs must comply with the general Eurovision rules.

  • Songs must not be published or performed before September 1st, 2025.

  • Competing performers must hold Montenegrin citizenship.

  • Songwriters may be of any nationality.

  • Each songwriter can submit a maximum of two songs for consideration.

A committee composed of music creators and artists will select the entries for the competition. The list of chosen songs will be announced about ten days after the submission window closes. Songs may be submitted until October 3rd, about one month from today. The jury will score songs between 0 and 100 points across three categories: 50 points for composition, 30 points for lyrics, 20 points for staging potential. Only songs that achieve at least 75 points will qualify. Up to 16 songs will ultimately be selected for the national final.

The winner of “Montesong” will earn the right to represent Montenegro at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. The voting in the national selection will be divided between a professional jury and the public, who will be able to cast their votes via SMS. RTCG also clarified that if it deems the quality of submissions too low, it reserves the right to internally select the entry instead. Additionally, the broadcaster maintains the right to replace the winner if necessary — something that was already enforced last year under different circumstances.

In 2024, for example, competition winners NeonoeN withdrew after suspicions arose that they had performed the song in September 2023. As a result, they were replaced by Nina Žižić.

RTCG’s Organizing Team says:

“Montesong is not just a music competition, it is a festival of creativity that gives new momentum to the domestic and regional scene. We want to hear new voices, but also to provide space for established musicians to show how rich and innovative the Montenegrin scene is”.




Montenegro in Eurovision: The Black Mountain and the Black Sheep

Montenegro is considered one of the most struggling nations in Eurovision. Out of 13 appearances, it has qualified for the Grand Final only twice – the lowest success rate except Andorra. In its debut in 2007, Montenegro sent Stevan Faddy with “Ajde, Kroci” to Helsinki, but failed to progress beyond the semi-final, finishing 22nd with 33 points. The country also failed to reach the final in 2008 and 2009 and withdrew in 2010 and 2011.

Montenegro returned in 2012 but again did not advance. The following year, the group Who See along with Nina Žižić also failed to qualify from the semi-finals. However, renewed optimism came in 2014, when Sergej Cetkovic and his song “Moj Svijet” finally reached the Grand Final, placing 19th. In 2015, Knez secured Montenegro’s best result to date – 13th place.

Since 2016, Montenegro’s results have declined, with the country failing to qualify in Stockholm, Kyiv, Lisbon, and Tel Aviv. Financial difficulties also forced Montenegro to withdraw from Eurovision 2020 and 2021. The 2022 comeback attempt with Vladana Vucinic ended in another semi-final exit, finishing 17th with 33 points. Persistent economic challenges kept Montenegro out in 2023 and 2024 as well. The country returned in 2025, but again failed to qualify for the final.




Montenegro in Eurovision 2025

“Dobrodošli” (in English: “Welcome”) is the title of the song performed by singer Nina Žižić, who finished in 16th and last place with only 12 points in the second semi-final of Eurovision 2025, held on May 15th in Basel, Switzerland.

Eurovision 2026: This will be Montenegro’s 14th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Montenegro joined the competition in 2007 and achieved its best result in Eurovision Song Contest 2015 when singer Knez reached 13th place with the song “Adio”.