Moldova public TV chief resigns

Vlad Țurcanu, the director-general of Moldova’s public broadcaster Teleradio-Moldova, said on May 18 that he would resign after a backlash over the country’s jury vote in the Eurovision Song Contest final. The dispute focused on Moldova’s jury awarding Romania only three points and no points to Ukraine, even as Moldovan viewers gave Romania the maximum televote score, according to Moldpres and Radio Moldova. The resignation capped two days of criticism in Moldova and Romania after the May 16 final in Vienna. Teleradio-Moldova had already said on May 17 that the jury’s decisions were independent and did not reflect the broadcaster’s official or editorial position. ### Why did the Eurovision vote trigger such a backlash? (moldpres.md) Moldpres reported that Moldova’s jury awarded only three points to Romania’s Alexandra Căpitănescu, while the Moldovan public gave her the maximum score. The same report said the jury gave no points to Ukraine, adding to the criticism because of Moldova’s political and cultural ties with both neighbors. (moldpres.md) Radio Moldova said Țurcanu told reporters that the jury had not taken into account “the sensitivities” between Moldova and neighboring Romania and Ukraine. He said he had not given the jurors instructions, but added that the result remained the institution’s responsibility. ### What exactly did Țurcanu say when he stepped down? Țurcanu said at a press conference that he would submit a resignation request to Teleradio-Moldova’s Supervisory Council, as required by law, Moldpres reported. (moldpres.md) He said, “the vote that was cast is our responsibility and primarily mine, as head of the institution.” (radiomoldova.md) Radio Moldova quoted him as saying the resignation was meant to send “a clear message” that Moldova’s relations with Romania remained “fraternal” and that the country’s “gratitude and respect” for Ukraine were unchanged. He also said ongoing projects for the broadcaster’s independence and development should continue after his departure. ### How does the broadcaster say Eurovision voting works? Teleradio-Moldova said on May 17 that the national jury’s decisions were “completely independent,” and Moldpres reported that the panel included deputy director-general Andrei Zapsa. (moldpres.md) The broadcaster’s statement sought to distance management from the scores while acknowledging the public criticism over how the jury had been appointed and how it voted. (radiomoldova.md) The European Broadcasting Union said in a November 2025 rules update that it was introducing stronger safeguards for Eurovision 2026, including tighter rules on promotion, a lower voting cap and expanded technical measures to detect coordinated or fraudulent voting. The EBU said those changes followed consultation with member broadcasters after the 2025 contest. (moldpres.md) ### Where does Moldova fit in this year’s Eurovision contest? The EBU said 35 broadcasters took part in Eurovision 2026, with the grand final held in Vienna on May 16. Moldova and Romania were both among the participating broadcasters in the 70th edition of the contest. Moldpres reported that Bulgaria’s DARA won the contest with 516 points, Israel’s Noam Bettan finished second with 343, and Romania placed third with 296. (ebu.ch) The same report said Moldova’s act, Satoshi with “Viva, Moldova!”, finished eighth on 226 points. ### What happens next at Teleradio-Moldova? (ebu.ch) Țurcanu said on May 18 that he would file his resignation with Teleradio-Moldova’s Supervisory Council, the formal body named in both Moldpres and Radio Moldova reports. Any leadership change at the broadcaster now depends on that council’s next procedural steps. (moldpres.md)