Montenegro has joined North Macedonia in pulling out of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool.
The annual music competition is coming to the UK in May after it was determined that the competition could not be held in Ukraine – who won this year’s contest – due to the ongoing war with Russia.
Now, two nations have pulled out of the running due to the financial costs.
In a statement, Montenegro’s broadcaster MRT added: ‘In addition to the significant costs of the registration fee, as well as the cost of staying in Great Britain – we also faced a lack of interest from sponsors, so we decided to direct existing resources to the financing of current and planned national projects.’
Earlier this year, the country was represented in the competition by Vladana’s performance of Breathe, although the song didn’t made it past the semi-final.
Meanwhile, North Macedonia’s state broadcaster made a similar decision and said: ‘Due to the economic and energy crisis and high costs, [North] Macedonia will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, which will be held in May in Liverpool, UK.’
In a message shared on its official website, the organisation explained how the decision was made ‘in the best interest’ of the country’s citizens.
They added: ‘The decision is in the best interest of the public, given the increased costs due to the energy crisis, which take up a large part of the budget for public services.’
This will mark the first time North Macedonia has not taken part in the televised event since its independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991.
For remaining entries, the grand final of Eurovision 2023 will be held at the Liverpool Arena on May 13.
Liverpool triumphed over Glasgow and also beat potential host cities Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Sheffield, with Graham Norton confirming the news to delighted scousers this month.
The city will host the music extravaganza in honour of war-stricken Ukraine, after Kalush Orchestra triumphed in this year’s event.
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Details, such as hosts and ticket sale times, are being kept under wraps for now, but we have no doubt it’ll be a night to remember.
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Eurovision will air on the BBC in May 2023.
