Basel’s Eurovision Vote: Will Swiss Voters Halt the 2025 Competition?

As Switzerland’s city of Basel gears up to potentially host Eurovision 2025, a surprise twist has emerged: citizens will soon vote on whether this musical extravaganza should go forward. The issue stems from a referendum triggered by the Federal Democratic Union (UDF), which recently gathered over 4,000 signatures, surpassing the 2,000-signature threshold needed to put the decision to a public vote. The focal point? A proposed 37.5 million Swiss franc credit to fund the competition, a sum UDF members argue would be better spent elsewhere.

Daniel Frischknecht, president of the UDF, claims that while his party harbours no ill will toward the music festival itself, they take issue with what he describes as the “politically and ideologically charged” nature of the event. Citing recent controversies, including alleged threats toward Israeli participants and last year’s Irish entry, Bambi Thug, who faced backlash for her “satanic” performance, the UDF asserts that Eurovision has morphed beyond a music show into something more contentious.

SSR spokesperson Edi Estermann weighed in, highlighting that if Basel citizens reject the funding, Eurovision 2025 will be pared down to a simplified live broadcast, lacking the usual festivities that generate significant tourism revenue for the city. Beat Läuchli, the project head for ESC in Basel, remains cautiously optimistic, confirming that planning will continue regardless of the referendum’s outcome.

With the vote set for 24 November, Basel is witnessing an impassioned debate on the future of Eurovision in Switzerland. For supporters and sceptics alike, the decision could signal a defining moment for Eurovision’s place in Swiss society.

Source: Le temps