Basel Votes to Host Eurovision 2025
In a significant decision, voters in Basel, Switzerland, overwhelmingly approved funding for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, with 66.4% supporting the investment of 34.96 million Swiss francs (approximately 37.4 million euros). The results, based on a partial count from the mail-in ballots, indicate strong public backing for the event, which is expected to attract a global audience and boost local tourism. Without this funding, the event would have been considerably scaled down, with concerns that it would reduce from a ten-day festival to a mere television show on Saturday night.
This will mark the third time Switzerland has hosted the Eurovision contest, following previous editions in Lugano in 1956 and Lausanne in 1989. The choice of Basel, located at the borders of France and Germany, was made over Geneva, highlighting its strategic location for international visitors. The contest is set to take place in May 2025, following Switzerland's victory in Eurovision 2024 with the non-binary artist Nemo.
Opposition from UDF Party
Despite the favorable vote, the funding faced opposition from the Federal Democratic Union (UDF), a small party advocating for
timeless Christian values.
The UDF gathered enough signatures to initiate a referendum against the funding, citing financial, security, and moral concerns. Philippe Karoubi, a member of the UDF steering committee, criticized the expenditure as disproportionate, arguing that the 35 million francs allocated for just three days of shows is a waste of public resources. He emphasized that much of the budget would go towards security, raising questions about the appropriateness of state involvement in such an event.
Economic Prospects for Basel
Proponents of the funding argue that the economic benefits of hosting Eurovision could be substantial, with local authorities anticipating immediate financial spinoffs of around 60 million francs. This projection is based on the experience of Liverpool, the host city for Eurovision 2023, which saw significant boosts in tourism and accommodation sectors. The European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the contest, believes that the investment is justified given the potential economic impact on the host city.
As Basel prepares for this prestigious event, the city aims to leverage its unique location and cultural heritage to create a memorable experience for both participants and visitors.
