The announcement came in a press conference this morning, held by Moldova1 Director Corneliu Durnescu, and the Moldovan Head of Delegation, Daniela Crudu:
"The decision was not an easy one, but it was necessary in the current context. This year’s national selection highlighted certain challenges, including a decrease in the public interest and the overall quality of artistic plays and performances. This has generated a negative perception among specialists and the public, stressing the need for a substantial reform in the selection process.
We consulted music specialists, and most of them expressed serious reservations about Moldova’s participation this year, in agreement with the opinion of the jury that TRM selected for this edition. We respect the opinions of professionals and of the general public, and we understand that we have to make responsible decisions.
This decision was not an easy one, but we assure you that it was analysed in detail. We know that we all wanted to organise a national final and to build the act that would represent us on the international stage. However, we are firmly convinced that this decision will boost participation in future editions. We will make sure that we will return in force to Eurovision. It is important to support people who want to get on big stages and give them the opportunity to prepare better."
Below is the post I had prepared to be published closer to the final date. I pretty much saw what was coming but tried to write it in a nicer tune even if did want to write them just cancel it all and do better. After all there was maybe that one worthy song if they got the performance together (and Moldova has been often very good in that!) but maybe the risk of it not winning in the end was too high to take as frustrated people may have voted some random Sasha to Basel and then it would have been too late to withdraw and cancel. It's always sad to see someone go but it seems they'll get their act together and come back in 2026. Do an internal selection of Moldova's biggest stars as understandably if you are an established artist with career and discography do you really want to do the audition round with these nobodies who in most cases really can't hold a tune? I wouldn't.
Original post:
Moldova's Etapa națională returns for 2025 and is likely to provide a lot of fun for the Eurovision fandom with their audition tapes. A total of 30 songs were invited and out of them the finalists will be chosen for the February 22, 2025 final where the winner will be decided by 50/50 televote/jury vote.. Among the hopefuls ever present and unforgettable Sasha Bognibov and Tudor Bumbac. Many other names ring a bell from previous national selections as well like Valleria and Cătălina Solomac, Katy Rain, Sasha Letty and Nordika
A fun fact is that for the first time since 2019 Moldova will have a new Eurovision artist as since then we have had only returning artists Natalia Gordienko, Zdob si Zdub, Pasha Parfeny and Natalia Barbu having another go at it. However Bacho and the Carnival brain includes its founder Anton Ragoza, ex-Sunstroke Project (2010, 2017)
Moldova wouldn't be Moldova if there weren't several disqualifications and/or withdrawals. And it seems Etapa nationala has reached it rock bottom and being able to sing and to pronounce basic English is still an optional and sometimes you can even read the lyrics off your cellphone. It's an experience to cherish and wonder! But then again all they need is one song. One only. May it be Semafoare.
Royals ST - Zboară-n sus **
Nadya Crajevschi - Not a shadow *
Chris Cross - Eu vin *
Vadim Eleni - Mamă, să fii! *
Rina - Dorințele **
Bacho and Carnival Brain - Semafoare ***
Priza feat. MC Mike - Kookoo **
Lodos - Sentimental *
Katy Rain - Timpul **
Cătălina Solomac - Demons *
Zelorielle - Miracle **
Kicked out:
Diana Elmas - Fly away
Lylu - Pop
Nordika - Ludmila
Tanya Tudor - Bring me back
Tudor Bumbac - Pace noi vrem
Y-gaga band - Alexia
Eblansh Band - O, Moldova mea dragă! withdrawn/disqualified
Anna G - Meet me in the dark withdrawn/disqualified
Dan Alexandrov - Can't escape withdrawn/disqualified
Valleria - A picture of myself withdrawn/disqualified
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