JOY Eurovision

1 Mar 2015

Moldova: The people want Eduard Romanyuta

On a Super Saturday in Europe, Moldova has caused controversy with the winner of their national final, O Melodie Pentru Europa. In a landslide victory, an international artist has won the Moldovan ticket to Vienna.

Image source: facebook.com/eduardromanyutaofficial

Ukrainian singer Eduard Romanyuta won the competition with his English-language song I Want Your Love.

The 22-year-old singer was one of 16 acts performing in the grand final, with a song that was accused of being very similar to Mariah Carey’s I Want Your Love. Romanyuta has previously participated in the 2012 and 2013 Ukrainian national selection competitions and was able to take part in Moldova after a rule change allowing international artists to compete.

The song was the public’s favourite, receiving 13 500 votes – a record for a Moldovan song at a national selection. It was well ahead of second place DoReDos with their song Maricica, getting 9 808 votes. It wasn’t the jury’s favourite though, with it giving its 12 points to Valeria Paşa, singing I Can Change All My Life.

After the combining of the scores, Romanyuta was first, Valeria Paşa came second and Moldovan veterans Sunstroke Project & DJ Michael Ra were third with Day After Day.

Accusations of vote rigging and jury tampering are already being thrown around in Moldovan media and all the acts refused to take part in the after show events in protest of the result.

Will Eduard Romanyuta still get his ticket to Vienna?

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