Swiss pop star Nemo wins Eurovision; contest rife with controversy

Karen Butler & Danielle Haynes
·2 min read
UPI
Nemo, representing Switzerland with the song "The Code," wins the final of the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest at the Malmo Arena, in Malmo, Sweden, on Saturday. Photo by Jessica Gow/EPA-EFE

May 11 (UPI) -- Swiss pop star Nemo won the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday amid controversy surrounding Israel's involvement in the competition.

Nemo won with the song "The Code," which they wrote along with Benjamin Alasu, Linda Dale and Lasse Midtsian Nymann. The song combines elements of opera, rap and pop, and focuses on Nemo's identification as non-binary.

"I hope this contest can continue to live up to its promise to stand for dignity and peace everywhere," Nemo said upon accepting the trophy, according to The Guardian.

This was the third time Switzerland has won the Eurovision contest, the last time coming in 1988 with Celine Dion's "Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi."

Earlier Saturday, contest organizers disqualified Dutch contestant Joost Klein ahead of the grand finals.

"Swedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night's semi- final. While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the contest," the competition's website said.

"We would like to make it clear that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other performer or delegation member," the message continued. "We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behavior at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the contest. In light of this, Joost Klein's behavior towards a team member is deemed in breach of contest rules."

The BBC said the 26-year-old artist's "pro-Europe techno anthem" "Europapa" had been among the favorites to win this year's contest.

Klein dedicated the song to his father, who died of cancer when the singer was 12.

Meanwhile, protesters at the event sought to have Israel banned from the event amid its war against Hamas in Gaza. More than 34,000 Palestinians have died in the war sparked by Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

The European Broadcasting Union, which runs Eurovision, refused to disqualify Israel, saying the competition is meant to be apolitical. The EBU, however, did ban Russia two years ago after its invasion of Ukraine.