by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen
MALMÖ, Sweden (Reuters) – Switzerland won the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest held in Malmö, Sweden, on Saturday in a tense climate.
The competition, meant to be apolitical, was rocked this year by protests and calls to exclude Israel from the competition.
Swiss non-binary artist Nemo, 24, won with his song “The Code”, which chronicles his quest for identity.
“I thank you very much, I hope that this competition will live up to its promises and continue to fight for peace and dignity for everyone,” Nemo said.
Croatian singer Baby Lasagna, real name Marko Purišic, 28, came second with “Rim Tim Tagi Dim”. Ukraine completes the podium.
France, represented by singer Slimane and his song “Mon Amour”, finished in fourth place in the ranking.
Israeli candidate Eden Golan, 20, placed in fifth position with her song “Hurricane”.
Boos were heard from the audience during his performance, which was also greeted with applause, according to a Reuters photographer present in the auditorium.
Thousands of people gathered in Malmö on Saturday to protest against Israel’s participation in the final of the competition.
Dutch candidate Joost Klein was excluded from the final of the competition on Saturday after a complaint was filed against him by a member of the production team.
(Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen, Tom Little and Ilze Filks in Malmö, Louise Rasmussen in Copenhagen and Johan Ahlander in Gothenburg, with contributions from Toby Sterling, written by Niklas Pollard; French version Camille Raynaud)
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