The head of Moldova's public broadcaster has announced his resignation after the country’s Eurovision jury vote sparked criticism in Moldova and Romania.
Teleradio Moldova director Vlad Țurcanu said he was stepping down following what he described as an "extraordinary" and "serious" incident after Moldova’s jury gave its highest points to Poland and Israel in Saturday’s Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final.
The 70th edition of the contest took place in Vienna and was marked by an unprecedented boycott over Israel’s participation.
Ireland was among the countries that did not take part this year, along with Iceland, the Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia.
Moldova’s jury awarded 12 points to Poland and 10 to Israel, while giving three points to Romania and no points to Ukraine, prompting criticism on social media.
Moldova’s public vote, however, gave Romania the maximum 12 points.
Țurcanu said the jury had failed to take into account "sensitivities" between Moldova and its neighbours Romania and Ukraine.
"Our stance toward Ukraine is not one of zero points, and our feelings toward Romania can only be ones of love," he said.
He said he had not instructed the jury on how to vote, but accepted responsibility for what had happened.
Romania’s Alexandra Căpitănescu finished third in the contest with Choke Me, helped by a strong public vote.
Bulgarian singer Dara won the contest with Bangaranga, while Israel finished second.
Căpitănescu, 22, said she had no hard feelings towards Moldova’s jury and thanked Moldovans who voted for her.
"We aren’t upset with the Moldovan jury, which scored the entries as it saw fit, and it’s not right for an entire nation to be held accountable for the decision of just seven people," she wrote on Instagram.
Moldova’s culture minister Cristian Jardan had called for "explanations" over the jury’s vote.
Jury member Viktoria Cușnir said she regretted accepting the invitation to join the jury, describing the reaction as "a public lynching experience".
She said the vote was not "an expression of anti-Romanian sentiment".
"The issue of the neighbourhood vote should be discussed from the outset, if it is the most important criterion imposed on the jury," she wrote on Facebook.
Moldova’s Eurovision contestant Satoshi, who placed eighth, also appealed for calm.
"Do not fuel hatred. Our countries have been and will remain friends," he wrote on Instagram.
Source: AFP
