An online petition requests the withdrawal or modification of the song 'Choke Me' performed by Alexandra Căpitănescu / The reaction of the Eurovision organizers

An online petition has been launched to request the withdrawal or modification of the song 'Choke Me', which will represent Romania at Eurovision 2026. Activists and petition signers accuse the song performed by Alexandra Căpitănescu of promoting violence and dangerous practices, arguing that the lyrics normalize strangulation, a risky action for young people. The petition has been supported by experts in sexual safety and women's rights, who believe that turning a violent act into entertainment is irresponsible. Eurovision organizers stated that they have discussed the meaning of the lyrics with the Romanian delegation and that they respect the competition criteria. In her defense, Alexandra Căpitănescu explained that the song is a metaphor about intense relationships and love, rejecting accusations of violence. The artist emphasized that the message of the song is about the desire to be suffocated by love, not by negative thoughts.