News just in from Moldova! Live auditions ahead of the nation’s upcoming national selection are set to take place this coming Wednesday. However, the original 28 acts have been shortened down to 27 following one disqualification.

Last week, TRM – the Moldovan national broadcaster – confirmed that a total of 28 entries had been received in the country’s search for their Eurovision 2018 representative.

Releasing the songs earlier last week, TRM has since confirmed that live auditions ahead of Moldova’s national selection, O melodie pentru Europa 2018, will take place this Wednesday on the 24 January.

One disqualification ahead of auditions

Following a meeting with the show organisers ahead of Wednesday’s live auditions, it was decided that one act would have to be disqualified from the selection as the participant did not meet the rules and regulations of the competition.

Disqualified artist, Pelageya Stefoglo, recently flew to Belarus in order to compete in the country’s live audition phase of the event.

Despite not qualifying to the end, Stefoglo’s Belarusian participation broke the conditions of the Moldovan selection rules, with the Minsk-hosted audition taking place after the registration closure in Moldova.

Two other bidding Moldovan artists, Sasha Bognibov and Sandy C & Aaron Sibley, received further assessment following their attempt to represent San Marino, however it was later decided that both acts would continue in the selection.

Live auditions will air this Wednesday 24 January from 11:00 CET (12:00 local time), in which a maximum of 16 acts will be shortlisted to advance to the semi-final stage of the competition.

O melodie pentru Europa 2018 schedule

• 24/01: Live auditions (Twenty-seven artists compete, maximum of 16 acts advance)
• 22/02: Semi-final (Up to 16 artists compete, 10 acts advance following 50/50 jury-televote)
• 24/02: Grand final (Ten finalists, winner determined by 50/50 jury-televote)