The Basel Stadt Cantonal Government has announced more details regarding the referendum to vote on whether the city should give financial support in hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
On 11 September 2024, the Grand Council approved expenditure of 34.9 million CHF for the staging of the ESC. This would cover the costs associated with the Eurovision Street, the EuroVillage and EuroClub. The referendum was initiated to protest against the decision of the Grand Council.
The referendum question reads as follows:
Do you approve the Grand Council resolution of 11 September 2024 regarding the authorisation of expenditure for the staging of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2025 in Basel?
In case the referendum votes against the financial aid, the cantonal government and SRG will analyse the next steps and examine the extent to which the Eurovision Song Contest can still take place in Basel under these conditions. Host broadcaster SRG has already publicly stated that in the worst case scenario the event would have to be greatly reduced.
The Basel Stadt Cantonal Government and the Grand Council therefore endorse voting YES to the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2025.
Eurovision 2025
Switzerland is hosting Eurovision 2025 after Nemo won the 2024 contest with their song โThe Codeโ. โThe Codeโ scored 365 jury points and 226 televote points, scoring 591 points to win the contest overall and bring the Eurovision trophy to Switzerland for the first time since 1988.
Basel will host the 69th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest on May 13, 15 and 17.
Image Source: Eurovision.tv | Source: Kanton Basel Stadt
