Basel will soon decide the fate of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest after a referendum was triggered by the Federal Democratic Union (UDF). On October 26, the UDF submitted 4,203 signatures, more than twice the 2,000 required, to challenge the 37.5 million CHF budget approved by the city’s Grand Council. Citizens will vote on November 24 to determine whether the event will proceed as planned.
Daniel Frischknecht, president of the UDF, explained the party’s position, stating, “Basel-Ville could better invest its money.” While emphasizing that the party is not opposed to music or the sexual orientation of Eurovision participants, he expressed concerns about the nature of the contest, alluding to Ireland’s Bambi Thug, who identified as a “practicing witch,” during the 2024 contest in Malmö. He contrasted this with Eurovision’s decision to bar Switzerland’s Salvation Army from competing with Christian imagery in 2013, shows what the UDF sees as inconsistencies in the competition’s policies.
The Grand Council of Basel had overwhelmingly approved the budget on September 11, with 87 votes in favor and only four against. The proposed budget aims to support nine live shows over a week, including the grand final on May 17, 2025. Plans also include city-wide events such as the Eurovision Village, public viewings, and fan zones along the Rhine, designed to boost the local economy and attract international attention. Basel secured the hosting rights in August, surpassing Zurich, Geneva, and Bern/Biel.
However, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG) has warned that a negative vote would force significant changes. Edi Estermann, spokesperson for SRG, explained, “The event would be reduced to a grand television show on Saturday night, without side events, and of course with much lower value creation for the city.” Estermann added that while there is a clause in the contract allowing withdrawal, both Basel and SRG are determined to proceed unless absolutely necessary.
Despite the looming uncertainty, planning will continue as scheduled. Beat Läuchli, the city’s Eurovision project manager, stated, “Even if the referendum proceeds, planning will continue without disruption.”
The November 24 vote will ultimately determine if Basel hosts the Eurovision Song Contest as envisioned or if the city will opt for a scaled-back version or not at all. The outcome will show not only the publics sentiment on the contest but also Basel’s overall willingness to invest in large-scale events.