The Greek courts have denied a temporary injunction In Melissa Mantzoukis’ claim Against ERT, meaning Greece can participate in Eurovision 2023 as planned.
The Greek courts have decided not to grant a temporary injunction meaning that Melissa Mantzoukis’ dispute with ERT will be resolved in May. This is due to the fact a temporary solution to the dispute cannot be given as the deadline no longer exists. Therefore, it was not possible to grant an injunction for Melissa in this case. Due to this outcome, Greece can participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 as planned with no additional issues since any decision on the case will now be issued after the contest has concluded. Had the injunction been granted, ERT would have had to freeze procedures relating to Greek participation in Eurovision 2023.
Melissa Mantzoukis is a singer of Greek and Georgian descent based in Germany. Last year, she reached the final of the German talent show, Deutschland sucht den Superstar.
Mantzoukis was one of three shortlisted artists to represent Greece in Eurovision 2023. After ERT announced that Victor Vernicos would represent the country in Liverpool, Melissa’s legal team filed legal proceedings against this outcome shortly thereafter. Due to this, a hearing took place to consider a request for a temporary injunction to freeze procedures relating to Greek participation in Eurovision, a request that has now been denied. Beyond the temporary injunction, the main aim of the legal proceedings is for Melissa Mantzoukis to be recognised as the winner of the Greek selection process. It also contains a claim for damages including moral damages caused by the alleged wrongful outcome of the process.
Image Source: Melissa Mantzoukis | Source: Eurovisionfun
Greece debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 when they were represented by Marinella and the song “Krasi, thalassa kai t’agori mou” which finished in 11th place with 7 points. Three years later Greece earned their first top 5 finish with Paschalis, Marianna, Robert, and Bessy who finished in 5th place with “Mathima solfege”. In 2001 Greece achieved their first top 3 result with Antique and the song “I Would Die For You”. The song became a European hit and charted across the continent. In 2005 Helena Paparizou returned to the Eurovision stage as a solo artist and brought Greece their first, and to date only, victory. Her song “My Number One” won with 230 points, beating runners-up Malta by 38 points.
