Moldova held the first semi-final of O Melodie Pentru Europa 2016 tonight, the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Tonight, semi-final 1 saw the first 12 candidates take the stage. Eight acts will procede to the grand final on 27 February 2016, seven songs will be chosen by a combination of public televote and expert jury vote, while the eighth qualifier will be chosen from the remaining songs via additional televote. The eighth qualifier will be revealed in a special discussion show following the semi-final.

The public and the jury together chose the following seven entries to go to the final:

• Maxim Zavidia – La la love
• Valeria Pașa – Save love
• Doinița Gherman – Irresistible
• DoReDoS – FunnyFolk
• Viola – In the name of love
• Valentin Uzun – Mine
• Che-MD – Vodă e cu noi

The eighth finalist, chosen by televoting only is:

• Emilia Russu – I am not the same

The second semifinal of O Melodie Pentru Europa 2016 will take place on Thursday, with the grand final on Saturday night.

Stay tuned to ESCToday.com for more news regarding Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016