Austria’s capital will host the next European Song Contest, organizers have announced. Vienna last hosted the extravaganza in 2015 and 1967.

The Austrian capital last hosted the ESC extravaganza in 2015 and 1967. Vienna beat out the Alpine city of Innsbruck to host the 2026 European Song Contest, Austrian public broadcaster ÖRF said on Wednesday.

Austria won the rights to host the 70th edition of the event after the country’s singer, JJ, won in May 2025 with his song “Wasted Love.”

JJ’s “Wasted Love” mixed techno beats with operatic vocals Image: Denis Balibouse/REUTERS

The venue for the final will be the Wiener Stadthalle, the city’s largest indoor arena.

Since the first ESC in Lugano, Switzerland, in 1955, Eurovision has become on of the world’s most celebrated pop music festivals. It has helped launch the careers of internationally famous acts like ABBA, Celine Dion, and Olivia Newton-John.

Flamboyant celebration of all things pop

Known for its flamboyant costumes and sets, last year’s competition in Basel, Switzerland, garnered 166 million live viewers.

Winners are decided based on who has the most points after a combination of votes from the public and from experienced judges.

The event has also drawn controversy in the past, for example over political messaging or the decision to invite some countries that are not in Europe. Before JJ, Austria’s last winning entry came in 2014 when drag queen Conchita Wurst wowed the crowds, leading to some homophobic backlash.

Edited by Sean Sinico

There is no sign that Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is coming to an end, but Germany is already debating whether the Bundeswehr should participate in peacekeeping forces.

Will there soon be a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as suggested by US President Donald Trump? And if the two can indeed agree on a way to end Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, what will Germany’s role be?

These questions have triggered much controversy in political circles in Berlin over the past week.

Politicians have been arguing about whether Germany might send soldiers for a possible peacekeeping force — an international force deployed in the country itself to ensure that fighting does not resume.

Many have said Germany could hardly be absent from such a force, especially with Chancellor Friedrich Merz insisting that Germany have a strong voice in international conflicts. But first and foremost, according to Merz, Germany should focus on the key issue of significantly strengthening the Ukrainian military to deter Russia from launching new attacks after a peace agreement has been reached.

This is in line with a statement made by US Vice President JD Vance on Fox News on August 20 that Europe must take the “lion’s share” of any conceivable security guarantees.

However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has termed the deployment of European forces in Ukraine as “completely unacceptable.”

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Little public support for sending German soldiers to Ukraine

Even in Germany, it seems clear that it will not be easy for Merz to obtain approval for such a force.

Merz’s junior coalition partner in government, the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), have warned against hasty moves. SPD leader Lars Klingbeiltold Sat.1 television that it would be good if serious talks could occur now.

Of course, Ukraine needs the security of knowing it will not be attacked again, Klingbeil said. “First and foremost, this requires a strong Ukrainian army. Then, we will see what else can be done. But whether or not German soldiers could be involved is not the question at the moment,” he said.

German voters, apparently, agree: In a survey conducted by pollster Civey on behalf of German internet portal web.de, 51% of respondents were opposed to a German participation in a peace mission in Ukraine. Only 36% said they thought it would be the right thing to do.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, a member of Merz’s center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has also expressed caution. Wadephul told Table Media that a mission in Ukraine would “probably overwhelm” Germany. He said that setting up the Bundeswehr combat brigade in Lithuania is already placing a massive strain on the military.

In an interview with DW, Wadephul expressed skepticism about whether peace talks could even take place. “Everyone is now waiting for Vladimir Putin to be truly serious about holding talks to end this war. Unfortunately, the situation on the battlefield still looks completely different,” he said on August 20.

German foreign minister doubts Putin will meet Zelenskyy To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

Following the meeting between Trump, Zelenskyy and European leaders in Washington on August 18, Chancellor Merz struck a different tone. Regarding the possible peace process, he said that “we, as the Federal Republic of Germany, have a keen interest and a great responsibility to participate.”

But of course, he added, this would then also have to be discussed within his coalition government, “including the question of whether we may have to make decisions that require a mandate.” Every time the Bundeswehr is deployed abroad, the majority of lawmakers in the lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, must vote in favor.

Skepticism, especially in eastern Germany

Since then, politicians from all political parties have been speaking out daily on the idea of deploying troops to Ukraine. Most of them are skeptical or flat-out opposed. Almost all of them point out that any decision on this matter is still a long way off.

Politicians from eastern Germany are especially opposed to the plan. There, both left-wing and right-wing parties, such as the socialist Left Party and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), are particularly vehement in their rejection of such an idea.

Michael Kretschmer (CDU), who heads a minority government in the eastern state of Saxony, where the AfD is very strong, is one of the strongest voices of opposition within Merz’s party. “German soldiers fighting in Ukraine must not be an option,” Kretschmer said this week.

Johannes Winkel, the head of the CDU’s youth organization, Junge Union, took a very different view. “We can’t say on the one hand that we need to reduce our dependence on the US military and that Europe finally has to grow up, and on the other hand refuse to take responsibility when it becomes concrete for the first time,” he told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland on August 21.

Amid peace efforts, fighting in Ukraine rages on To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

What is the opposition’s stance?

The Green Party has expressed skepticism over the results of the Ukraine summit in Washington. “No substantial progress has been made,” Omid Nouripour, the Greens’ foreign policy expert, said in a TV interview with RTL and ntv on August 19. He urged Europe to build up its own protection forces to enable them to give security guarantees to Ukraine even without involving the US.

Left Party leader Jan van Aken suggested a UN peacekeeping force of 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers as a security guarantee for Ukraine. He said it would be important for China to participate “because Russian soldiers would not shoot at Chinese soldiers.” However, he also warned that the involvement of German troops could be reminiscent of events in World War II, when the German army invaded Russia.

AfD leader Alice Weidel warned that Germany could itself become a target and demanded: “Germany needs reconciliation with Russia instead of constant confrontation.”

Meanwhile, Wolfgang Ischinger, the long-standing head of the Munich Security Conference, wrote on X: “There is not a single indication that President Putin is prepared to end this war at the moment.” Many observers in Germany agree.

This article was originally written in German.

While you’re here: Every Tuesday, DW editors round up what is happening in German politics and society. You can sign up here for the weekly email newsletter, Berlin Briefing.

Allied discussions about deploying European peacekeeping forces to Ukraine as part of a potential post-war settlement with Russia have triggered unease in Germany, where memories of its militaristic past remain strong.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has left the door open to German participation but stressed that any decision would require agreement with European partners and approval from the Bundestag. He also acknowledged the difficulty of such a mission, given Russia’s fierce opposition and uncertainty over how a peacekeeping force would function, News.Az reports, citing Reuters.

Criticism quickly followed. Far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) leader Alice Weidel branded the idea “dangerous and irresponsible,” accusing Merz’s conservatives of war-mongering. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also warned that deploying troops would “probably overwhelm” Germany.

The debate reflects deep sensitivities: Germany’s Nazi history, unpopular missions in Afghanistan and Mali, and rising frustration over billions spent on military aid to Ukraine while the domestic economy struggles. Analysts say the government must tread carefully to avoid political fallout.

Meanwhile, France’s Emmanuel Macron and Britain’s Keir Starmer have been more assertive in supporting peacekeeping deployments. A recent RTL/ntv poll showed Germans almost evenly split: 49% in favor, 45% opposed. Skepticism is particularly high in eastern states facing elections next year.

Merz, who came to power pledging to build Europe’s strongest conventional army, faces declining popularity as the AfD surges in polls. The party has seized on the issue, posting a viral campaign image declaring: “Merz wants to send YOU to Ukraine? We don’t!”

For now, the chancellor insists it is “too early to give a definitive answer” on whether German troops would join a peacekeeping mission — but the debate has already exposed deep political divisions.

News.Az

Skip next section Attack on German could hit at a less than optimal time, army chief warns

08/24/2025 August 24, 2025 Attack on German could hit at a less than optimal time, army chief warns

Germany’s army chief says his troops may not have enough time to prepare for an imminent attack, despite making “great progress” toward combat readiness.

Lieutenant General Alfons Mais told dpa that while the military is making strides in equipping troops, he is concerned about whether soldiers have the right mindset to defend Germany’s values adequately.

“We must be aware that if the alarm goes off, it could hit us in a suboptimal state or at a less than optimal time,” Mais said. “The commanders need to prepare mentally for this.”

The army forms part of Germany’s military or Bundeswehr.

Mais, who is retiring in September, believes new recruits should look up to the examples set by former Bundeswehr soldiers who have received the military’s Cross of Honor for bravery.

“I believe that our soldiers all know what to expect. And we see that. In conversations with the young people, I see that they have become much more serious,” Mais said. “Someone who signs up for the Bundeswehr today knows there is war in Europe.”

Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants to make the Bundeswehr the strongest military in Europe, which will require better equipment and more personnel than the current 183,000 soldiers. To comply with NATO guidelines, the Bundeswehr needs to add another 60,000 people.

Allies’ discussions about the possible deployment of European peacekeeping forces to Ukraine have sparked heated debate in Germany. Chancellor Friedrich Merz does not rule out the country’s participation in the mission, but society and politicians are divided, fearing a repetition of historical shadows and new military failures.

This was reported by Reuters, writes UNN.

Details

Discussions in Europe regarding the potential deployment of peacekeeping forces on Ukrainian territory as part of a possible agreement with Russia have become a serious test for Germany.

Berlin, which is still weighing its own role in global conflicts due to the burden of its Nazi past and failed military campaigns in Afghanistan and Mali, faced a dilemma: support allies or avoid the risks of being drawn into direct confrontation with Moscow.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who came to power after elections with a loud promise to make the Bundeswehr the most powerful army in Europe, declared openness to participating in a peacekeeping mission. At the same time, he admitted: any decision would require parliamentary approval, which would be a difficult task, given the shaky support for his cabinet.

The head of the far-right “Alternative for Germany,” Alice Weidel, opposed this idea. She accused Merz’s conservatives of “inciting war” and called talks about sending troops “irresponsible and dangerous.” Her position is supported by some voters: the party is strengthening its position amid economic difficulties and criticism of billions in spending on supporting Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also voiced concern, warning that the deployment of troops could have “shocking consequences” for Germany.

Additional pressure is created by the international context: French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have already spoken in favor of a possible deployment of forces in post-war Ukraine, while Berlin is acting much more cautiously.

According to a Forsa poll, society is almost evenly divided: 49% of Germans would support the country’s participation in a peacekeeping mission, while 45% are categorically against it. This balance of opinions contrasts with more unambiguous support for similar ideas in London and Paris.

Recall

Great Britain plans to send hundreds of military instructors and engineers to Ukraine within the first week after a truce. This will help restore the Armed Forces of Ukraine and patrol the sky to prevent ceasefire violations.

European officials are discussing a plan to send British and French troops to Ukraine as part of a peace agreement. About ten countries are ready to join this initiative.