About a week after JJ‘s victory in the Eurovision 2025 final, which secured Austria’s third win in the contest’s history, the nation is in turmoil. What was initially seen as a moment of national pride quickly turned into a political battleground, with public criticism focusing on the winner himself rather than the winning song.

At the center of the uproar are JJ’s statements against Israel’s participation in the contest, made during an interview shortly after his win. These remarks sparked intense reactions, yet most politicians who praised the singer at the time of his victory have since chosen to remain silent. One notable exception is Herbert Kickl, leader of the far-right “FPÖ” party, who gave a sharply critical interview to the Tiroler Tageszeitung.

“A passport is not enough”: Kickl questions JJ’s connection to Austria

When asked for his opinion about Austria hosting the next Eurovision, Kickl responded dismissively:

“Apart from JJ’s citizenship, I see no real connection between him and Austria”.

 According to Kickl, JJ lacks a genuine connection to Austrian culture or values, making him a puzzling choice to represent the country.

Kickl even admitted he was unaware that JJ’s victory meant Austria would host Eurovision 2026: “Really? That’s the case?” he said, with a mix of surprise and indifference, underscoring his detachment from the event and its implications. Commentators viewed this response as an affront not only to the singer but also to Austria’s cultural standing in Europe.

From Applause to Erasure: The Deafening Silence of Politicians

JJ, initially celebrated as an international star and congratulated by the nation’s leaders, became a controversial figure within days. Many politicians who had publicly praised him have since disappeared from the spotlight, with some even deleting their previous statements.

The most prominent move came from Johanna Mikl-Leitner, governor of Lower Austria, who deleted a congratulatory video she had posted while traveling by train in Japan. The video, which showed her celebrating JJ’s win, was removed from social media as soon as the controversy began to escalate.

According to Mikl-Leitner, a member of the center-right ÖVP party:

“Anyone who calls for a boycott of Israel and compares it to Russia, without mentioning Hamas’s terror attack, needs an urgent history lesson”.

Her remarks came amid a heated public debate over Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.

This silence did not go unnoticed. Criticism is now directed not only at the singer but also at those public officials who were quick to pose for photos and “score points”, yet failed to take responsibility when it mattered. Kickl seized the opportunity to highlight what he called the “moral weakness” of the political establishment.

Attack on the Government and the LGBTQ+ Community: Kickl Expands His Criticism

Kickl’s interview did not stop at JJ. He used the platform to attack the Austrian government, claiming it used JJ’s success as a distraction from its lackluster achievements:

“Due to the lack of other successes, the government posed for photos with the singer. And now, after his embarrassing statements about Israel, they have a big problem. This just shows how far we’ve fallen”.

He went on to launch a sweeping critique of the entire Eurovision contest, claiming it has become a “circus” representing a loud minority:

“Eurovision is a stage for a small, noisy, and shrill community. If you’re not a man wearing a skirt or a woman with a beard, you have no place there”.

He did not hide his disdain for the trans community either:

“If you’re not trans or something like that, you have no chance at Eurovision”.

Kickl’s comments provoked a storm of reactions, especially since this is the third consecutive year that the contest’s winner belongs to the queer community. Although he declared he has “no interest in Eurovision at all”, it appears the topic preoccupies him – particularly when it comes to issues of free speech, representation, and equality.

Political Context and Media Storm

The hosting process unfolds against the backdrop of a major media storm following JJ’s controversial statement, in which he compared Israel to Russia and called for Israel’s expulsion from Eurovision. Despite calls from various countries to remove Israel from the contest, the national broadcaster emphasized that political issues would not affect preparations or the upcoming event.

“There is no reason for the controversy surrounding the winner to impact the organization of the contest. This is an opportunity to focus on what really matters – the music and the European celebration”.

Stated the broadcaster’s management.

When Eurovision Meets the Far Right

Herbert Kickl’s harsh words underscore how Eurovision has become a symbol in cultural battles. What was supposed to be a moment of pride quickly turned into a minefield. JJ may have won Eurovision, but at home, he is discovering just how quickly public affection can turn. The reactions to him reflect not only political disagreement but also a deep rift within Austrian society—one that might have been avoided had the chosen winner opted to remain silent.

Austria at Eurovision 2025

JJ, 23, is the opera singer who represented Austria at Eurovision 2025 with the song “Wasted Love”, after being selected internally by the local national broadcaster ORF. JJ won Eurovision in first place after receiving 436 points in the grand final – 258 from the jury, placing first, and 178 from the public, placing fourth. This included 8 points from the Israeli public and 6 points from the Israeli jury.

JJ’s victory marks Austria’s third win in the history of the contest, following the wins of Udo Jürgens in 1966 (“Merci, Cherie”) and Conchita Wurst in 2014 (“Rise Like a Phoenix”).

Source: Oe24.