A Swiss weekly newspaper has reported that several relatives of Nemo, Switzerland’s winner of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, were enthusiastic supporters of Nazi ideology, with some holding membership in the National Socialist Party during World War II.
The report, published by Weltwoche, a conservative Swiss weekly, examined the family history of Nemo Mettler, who won Eurovision last year with the song “The Code” and became the first openly nonbinary winner of the competition. The investigation focused on members of the Mettler family from the canton of St. Gallen and their activities during the Nazi era.
According to the report, multiple ancestors were active supporters of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi movement, both ideologically and financially. Some were members of Nazi-affiliated organizations, while others were involved in propaganda and support efforts aligned with National Socialism.
The investigation centers in particular on Arnold Mettler, described as a wealthy industrialist and prominent Nazi sympathizer. Weltwoche reported that Mettler and his wife were devoted admirers of Hitler. Arnold Mettler held a senior role at a fascist newspaper that was later banned and provided financial support to far-right organizations. During World War II, he reportedly denied the existence of the Holocaust, dismissing reports of the mass murder of Jews as “malicious rumors.”
The report said Mettler’s wife actively opposed efforts to assist Jewish refugees fleeing to Switzerland during the war. The family was also accused of helping fascist figures evade Swiss authorities by facilitating their escape to Germany.
After the war, Arnold Mettler died by suicide, according to the investigation. His ideological influence reportedly extended to his children. One son was quoted making antisemitic remarks during a visit to the United States, while another, Hans Martin Mettler, volunteered at age 25 for the Waffen-SS, was sent to the Eastern Front and was killed in combat in Russia.
Weltwoche noted that the Mettler family’s wartime activities have been examined previously by historians and said Nemo was likely aware of this history. The publication criticized the artist for not addressing the family past, calling it a significant omission given Nemo’s public advocacy on human rights issues.
In recent years, Nemo has become a prominent cultural figure in Switzerland and internationally. Beyond music, the artist has spoken out frequently on political issues, including strong criticism of Israel’s participation in Eurovision. In December 2025, Nemo announced the return of the Eurovision trophy as a protest, saying in an Instagram post that the award did not belong “on my shelf” due to what Nemo described as a contradiction between the contest’s stated values and the continued participation of Israel.
The Weltwoche report also referenced an incident at the 2025 Eurovision event in Malmö in which Nemo was filmed turning away from Israeli contestant Eden Golan during an onstage interaction.