Despite rumours that only a few artists have submitted songs for the Romanian national selection, esctoday.com can confirm that over 250 songs have already been submitted to the national broadcaster to be Romania's Eurovision Song Contest entry in 2009 and the preparations for the national selection shows are proceeding as planned.

Due to TVR's decision toextend the submission deadline,rumours started to spread in the Romanian and international press that there was a very low number of entries. Some claimed that only five artists hadsubmitted songs for the national selection, a figure rubbished by the broadcaster.

TVR have confirmed to esctoday.com that "The truth is thatmore than 250 have been received and the semifinals and final for the national selection will take place as scheduled". A special panel will now select the24 songs that will go forward to competeintwo semi finals on the27th and 29th of January. They will be selesced on8th January and a day later, the 24 songs will be available to listen to onlineat the official TVR site.

Stay tuned to esctoday.com for more information about the upcoming Romanian national selection and confirmation of the first artists to announce their submissions.