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BRUSSELS — “Europapa,” the Dutch entry to this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, is a runaway success — so wouldn’t you know it, politicians are jumping on the bandwagon.
The catchy jingle, with its pro-European lyrics and symbolism, has caught the attention of former European Commission heavyweight Frans Timmermans — who left Brussels last year to (unsuccessfully) lead a joint Socialist-Green ticket in the Netherlands.
The song is an “ode to the traditional Dutch gabber culture and equally to the successes of European integration,” Timmermans posted on X (formerly Twitter) Tuesday, adding that it’s now on his Spotify list.
Joost Klein’s song is heavy on references to his love of Europe, featuring lyrics including “Europe, let’s come together” or “Welcome to Europe, [I] stay until I die.” Phrases in German and Italian are sprinkled throughout the song, and there are shoutouts to traditional European dishes such as escargot, paella, and fish and chips.
The song, only released last Thursday, has already racked up more than 6 million views on YouTube and another 5 million plays on Spotify. It has also surged to become one of the bookmakers’ favorites for May’s Eurovision competition in Malmö, Sweden.
Timmermans’ joint Socialist-Green ticket was the runner-up in last year’s Dutch elections, trailing behind the Euroskeptic Party For Freedom (PVV) of Geert Wilders. There’s still no breakthrough in talks to form a new Dutch government.
Wilders hasn’t yet commented on whether “Europapa” is on his personal Spotify playlist.
