Eurovision: Switzerland wins most divisive song in contest’s 68-year history

Swiss act Nemo has won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest, beating Croatian artist Bebe Lasagna in what was perhaps the most divisive contest in its history.

The non-binary singer representing Switzerland collected 591 points from a combination of music industry juries in each participating country and the global public with his track “The Code”. Croatia is second with 547 points and Ukraine is third with 453 points at the event in Malmö, Sweden. France and Israel round out the top five with 445 and 375 points respectively.

Eurovision is back and gives fans everything they’re used to seeing on the year’s most whimsical music night: corseted dancers in knee-high leather boots getting ready for the Spanish “Kylie Minogue”, Ireland’s horned Goth gremlins scream witchcraft and some clever camerawork hides Windows95Man’s genitalia entering Finland (his denim shorts are quickly hoisted onto the stage by a rope).

Hosted by Swedish-American actress Malin Akerman ( , ) and presenter Petra Mayde, the four-hour extravaganza featured acts from 25 different countries and even performed the winning 1974 hit “Waterloo”. Surprised audiences with a virtual avatar of the legendary ABBA.

Despite the pageant’s most tumultuous build-up to date, it was a relatively unremarkable show (full of nudity, perhaps, but as expectedly lively and colorful).

Eurovision organizers have come under fire for their handling of the contest leading up to the grand final. Reports of unrest between contestants and national delegations spread on social media. Rumors of entrants missing rehearsals, flags being taken down and claims of misbehavior backstage marred the generally peppy Eurovision build-up. It wasn’t helped by Dutch participant Joost Klein’s disqualification on Saturday after a female member of the production crew accused him of threatening Swedish police.

Eurovision bosses have long regarded their event as apolitical, but in recent years the contest has increasingly reflected geopolitical opinion across Europe. For example, Russia was barred from the 2022 competition after invading Ukraine. In a show of solidarity, the Ukrainian participant Kalosh Orchestra was named the winner this year (despite, as many critics pointed out, not having the strongest performance).

However, the contestant at the center of this year’s controversy, Israel’s Aidan Golan, enjoyed powerful public support. Gulen’s participation was met with widespread criticism this week, including being booed during rehearsals, but the public vote placed him in an impressive fifth place, indicating an outsider among voters compared to last week’s contest. A more positive impression than the reception might have led observers to believe.

The only tangible evidence of an unwelcome reception for Golan was the reaction of a notably less-than-enthusiastic crowd at the final – even for Israel’s spokesman. Attendees reported a sea of ​​jeers that television microphones probably couldn’t pick up. Martin Osterdahl, the executive supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, made a speech across the arena, presumably after Klein’s exit.

The Golan has become a lightning rod for widespread condemnation of Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed nearly 35,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, since Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel. About 1,200 people were killed.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog ordered “necessary adjustments” to the Golan’s initial encroachment to ensure his country can cope – the lyrics to “October Rain” apparently refer to the Hamas offensive. . Instead, the 20-year-old performed a romantic song called “Storm.” But even the most ardent Eurovision fans vowed to boycott the event this year, protesting the missile attacks on Gaza.

However, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has repeatedly defended its decision to include Israel, Eurovision winners in 1978, 1979, 1998 and 2018. He issued a statement urging viewers not to abuse Gulen. The young singer was under police protection this week.

“We would like to emphasize that any decision regarding participation is the responsibility of the EBU’s governing bodies, not the individual artists,” the EBU said. “We participants are strongly opposed to abuse or harassment of any kind, online or offline, and are committed to fostering a safe, respectful and inclusive environment.”

UK entrant Olly Alexander, once the frontman of British pop band Years and Years before he began performing under his own name, also faced pressure to quit. More than 450 comedians, individuals and organizations called on him not to perform during the Gaza conflict. He posted a statement denying the denial, explaining that while he “wholeheartedly” supports a cease-fire in Gaza and the return of all hostages, “it is my current belief that removing ourselves from the competition will allow us to continue our common It will not bring us closer to the goal.”

Pro-Palestinian protests took place outside the Eurovision venue. On Thursday, local police reported that more than 10,000 people, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, held a protest march in the city directly calling on Eurovision organizers to remove Israel from the contest. A further 15,000 people gathered before Saturday’s final.

Members of some delegations refused to participate in the Eurovision final. A few hours before the show began, former Eurovision entrant Kerija stepped down as spokesperson for the Finnish jury, saying the distribution of points “didn’t feel right.” He did not elaborate further.

Dutch broadcaster Aerotros soon followed suit, citing Klein’s incompetence. The company wrote on X after consulting its spokeswoman Nicky de Jagge: “Just like Nicky, we envisioned this evening very differently.”

As the competition now turns to its new host Switzerland, the political turmoil has certainly left a sour taste in the mouths of spectators and organizers this year. A taste that will probably linger long after Malmö d’Eurovision and return to normal.