Moldova has announced that it will withdraw from this year's Eurovision Song Contest, to be held in Basel. The news comes just days after the auditions for the national finals were held, with the quality of the performances and songs being a key factor in the decision.
The director of the Moldova 1 network, Corneliu Durnescu, explained that the “lack of quality has created a negative perception” of the contest and that this year's national selection highlighted several important challenges, including the decline in public interest and the overall level of the songs.
Durnescu added that this decision was not easy, but that it was necessary in the current context of the situation. He stressed that a reform of the selection process would be necessary to restore the trust and quality that the public and experts expect from such a major event. However, the state broadcaster will continue to broadcast the two semi-final nights and the grand final of Eurovision, maintaining a connection to the event, despite the withdrawal from the competition.