Moldovan broadcaster TRM has announced Etapa Națională has been cancelled – and that the country will withdraw from Eurovision 2025.
The announcement was made in a press conference by Moldova1’s Director, Corneliu Durnescu, and Moldova’s Head of Delegation, Daniela Crudu. They said that the decision was made “following a detailed analysis of the current situation, as well as the economic, administrative and artistic challenges.”
In a statement published on the website of Moldova1, the broadcaster says that they will still air both semi-finals and the Grand Final of Eurovision 2025 in Moldova.
Responding to Moldova’s announcement, the Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, Martin Österdahl, said in a statement to Eurovoix:
We’re sorry that TRM of Moldova have decided not to participate in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. We will miss you! We’re pleased that viewers in Moldova will still get to watch the shows on TRM and very much hope to welcome them back next year.
Explaining the decision, Corneliu Durnescu has said that the auditions for their national final, Etapa Națională 2025, had “generated a negative perception…underlining the need for a substantial reform in the selection process.”
He also said that broadcaster TRM would review the selection criteria and methodology ahead of competing in future editions of the contest. However, after consultation with music experts who Durnescu claims had “serious reservations regarding Moldova’s participation this year”, the Director of Moldova1 stated that “we have to make responsible decisions.”
Moldova has competed at Eurovision every year since 2005, meaning today’s announcement breaks a two decade participation streak for the country. Their withdrawal also comes under a week before the allocation draw for Eurovision 2025 is held in Basel next Tuesday.
If Moldova withdraws, it is likely that they will be fined by contest organisers the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). In previous years, such as Armenia in 2012 and Serbia and Montenegro in 2006, the EBU has issued fines to countries withdrawing from the contest.
In 2012, Armenia was forced to pay the participation fee for the contest in full, plus another 50% of the fee in additional costs. In 2006, Serbia and Montenegro were fined €15,000 for their late withdrawal from the contest.
The announcement comes days after the auditions round for Etapa Națională 2025 was held and twelve acts had been selected to compete in a televised final on February 22.
The twelve acts that had been due to compete in the national final were:
Royals ST – “Zboară-n sus” (Fly up)
Nadya Crajevschi – “Nota shodow”
Sasha Bognibov – “All-night party”
Chris Cross – “Eu vin” (I’m coming)
Vadim Eleni – “Mamă, să fii!” (Mother, be!)
Rina – “Dorințele” (Desires)
Bacho & CARNIVAL BRAIN – “Semafoare” (Traffic lights)
PRIZA feat Mc MIKE – “Kookoo”
LODOS – “Sentimental”
Katy Rain – “Timpul” (Time)
Catalina Solomac – “Demons”
Zelorielle – “Miracle”
As a result of the surprise announcement, 37 countries are now expected to compete in Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland.
Natalia Barbu performed “In The Middle” in Semi-Final One of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Moldova placed 13th in the Semi-Final scoring 20 points.
Image Source: TRM | Source: Moldova1
Moldova debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005 when the contest was held in Kyiv, Ukraine. Moldova’s best result in the contest is 3rd place in 2017 for Sunstroke Project with “Hey Mamma!”. This was the second time the group had represented their country in Eurovision. Moldova has been represented by several artists who have competed in the contest before, with five acts having represented Moldova a combined eleven times.
Tags: eurovision 2025 Headline Moldova participation
