Eurovision 2025: due to the “lack of quality” of the songs presented, Moldova withdraws from the competition

There were to be 38, there will now be only 37 countries competing. Moldovan public television announced this Wednesday, January 22, the country’s withdrawal from Eurovision 2025, which will be held in May in Basel (Switzerland), due to the “lack of quality” of the songs proposed at the national level.

The country nestled between Ukraine and Romania had already launched its selection process: auditions of 26 candidates took place on January 18 to determine the 12 participants in the Moldovan national final, “Etapa națională”. They were to compete on February 22 during a major television show, broadcast on the Moldova 1 channel.

A decline in “the general quality of securities”

But the Moldovan audiovisual group surprised everyone by announcing this Wednesday the outright cancellation of the show, as well as its non-participation in the next edition of Eurovision. This refusal is motivated by the “economic, administrative and artistic challenges” facing the public broadcaster, a press release specifies.

At his side, Daniela Crudu, head of the Moldovan delegation to Eurovision, recognized that the musical proposals were not up to par this year: “This year has highlighted certain challenges, notably a drop in interest of the public and the general quality of the titles and performances. This has generated a negative perception for both music scholars and the public, highlighting the need for substantial reform of the selection process.”

A bronze medal as best result

Moldova has been participating in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2005 and has never been absent from an edition since. The best result in the country is a third place obtained in 2017 by the group Sunstroke Project with the title “Hey Mamma”. The Moldovan trio was made famous in 2010 by the “Epic Sax Guy” meme during its first participation in the great European song rally.

Not qualified for the final in 2024 with Natalia Barbu, the country was to participate in the competition which is scheduled for May 13, 15 and 17 in the city of Basel, Switzerland, after Nemo’s victory. The French representative at Eurovision 2025 has not yet been revealed by France Télévisions.