Last night's second Eurovision semi-finals saw some backlash as Netherlands entry Joost Klein's song lyrics promoted a pro-European stance.
Klein's song, Europapa, portrays in Dutch a message about moving freely throughout the continent and states the world has no borders.
Translated, some the lyrics read: "Visit my friends in France, or take a long walk to Vienna, I want to leave the Netherlands.
"But my passport is gone, fortunately don’t need a visa to be with you, so take the bus to Poland or the train to Berlin."
It later states: "Welcome to Europe, stay here until I die.
"At the end of the day, we are all human beings, My father told me once that the world has no borders."
Klein's song lyrics has sparked some backlash
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Many have taken to social media to blast the political message, which some argued breaks the rules of the contest.
Taking to X, one penned: "The Dutch @Eurovision 2024 entry "Europapa" clearly breaches the @EBU_HQ's non-politicial rules.
"I don't understand why the Netherlands haven't been forced to change their music video and lyrics. #Eurovision."
"Trying to understand why the @EBU_HQ has approved the #Netherlands sending such a political song to @Eurovision. The song/lyrics need to be changed. #Eurovision," another added.
Klein was banned from Friday's rehearsals
Eurovision Song Contest
"Because the whole thing has been corrupted by evil," one person responded.
"Surely the #netherlands song is a political song about being in Europe and anti-brexit. Therefore @EBU_HQ @Eurovision is against the Rules for #Eurovision2024," another agured.
However, others defended the song. One shared: "I had to translate the lyrics first, but got SURPRISE Euro Wholesomeness and the most unexpected heir to Insieeeeme! Unite, unite EUrope!"
"The Netherlands Eurovision 2024 singer — is riding a wave of momentum. After smashing streaming records at home with this song “Europapa”, he’s now one of the betmakers’ Top 5 picks to win it all."
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Joost Klein's song lyrics present a pro-Europe message
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However, Klein has made headlines today for other reasons after being banned from Friday's rehearsals.
The 26-year-old is under investigation by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
The EBU said in a statement: "We are currently investigating an incident that was reported to us involving the Dutch artist. He will not be rehearsing until further notice.
"We have no further comment at this time and will update in due course."
It is unknown whether or not Klein will be performing in tomorrow's final.
