Moldovan TV Chief Quits After Eurovision Vote Scandal

The head of Moldova’s public broadcaster has resigned after a public backlash over the country’s jury vote at the Eurovision Song Contest, which gave Romania only three points despite the close cultural ties between the two countries.

Hundreds of fans denounced the vote on social media after Moldova’s jury gave its 12 points to Poland and 10 to Israel. Television viewers, whose votes also count toward the final result, had awarded the maximum 12 points to Romania’s entry, performed by Alexandra Capitanescu.

Moldova shares strong linguistic and cultural ties with Romania. Before gaining independence in 1991, the country had been part of the Russian Empire, Greater Romania and the Soviet Union.

“This was my decision”, Vlad Turcanu, director general of Moldovan Radio and Television, told a hastily called news conference.

“We distanced ourselves from the jury’s voting, but it is still our responsibility, my responsibility in the first instance, as head of this institution.”

The jury’s failure to award any points to Ukraine also drew criticism. Moldova’s president has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has vowed to lead the country into the European Union by 2030.

“The only thing that matters is votes by ordinary people”, former Defense Minister Anatol Salaru wrote on Facebook. “This was a vote among brothers. The rest is unimportant detail.”

Moldova’s Eurovision entry, Satoshi, said the public support for Romania “reflects the real opinion of our society”.

Bulgaria won the contest. Israel finished second, in a competition overshadowed by boycotts by five countries over Israeli actions in Gaza, while Poland placed 12th.

According to Reuters, the resignation showed the power of social media in one of Europe’s poorest countries, where anger over a Eurovision vote quickly became an institutional controversy.

(reuters, bak)