On Sunday, we reported that a referendum on the approval of cantonal funding for Eurovision 2025 in Basel was likely, after the right wing EDU party had gained enough signatures to trigger the referendum. The referendum has since been confirmed by the Basel-Stadt Canton after the validation of the signatures.
Referendum Details
Following the Grand Council of Basel voting 87 votes to 4 (with 4 abstentions) to allocate CHF35m in cantonal funding to Eurovision 2025, the right wing party EDU/UDF, who are not represented on the Grand Council, launched a petition against the contest.
Petitions in Basel-Stadt canton trigger a referendum if they receive at least 2,000 valid signatures from canton residents. The petition against funding the contest received 3,912 valid signatures. None of the major parties on the canton’s Grand Council oppose funding the contest.
The referendum will take place on 24 November, on the same day as referendums on the right for foreigners to vote and stand in elections, as well as a popular initiative calling for “more musical diversity”.
Speaking last month to Basler Zeitung, Basel’s Cantonal President, Conrad Cramer said he believes the referendum is likely to fail at the ballot box, saying:
If the EDU referendum were to be successful at the ballot box, which I do not believe will happen, the loan for the ESC would not be approved. Basel would therefore not be able to make the expenditure and the situation would have to be re-analysed together with the SRG.
All About Eurovision 2025
Switzerland will be hosting the 69th edition of the competition following Nemo’s historic win at Eurovision 2024 in Malmö. A few weeks after their win, Reto Peritz, and Moritz Stadler, was announced as the Executive Producers, with the other roles revealed in July 2024.
Basel, Bern & Biel/Bienne, Geneva, and Zurich submitted bids to host next year’s competition, with Basel and Geneva being shortlisted as the final two cities. After the shortlist, it was revealed that Basel will host Eurovision 2025, at St. Jakobshalle with the shows taking place on May 13, 15 and 17.
What do you think about Basel hosting? Do you plan on going to the contest next year? As always, let us know what you think by commenting down below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky for all the latest Eurovision news!
News Source: Basel Stadt
Photo Credit: SRG SSR
Rory Gannon 
Giwrgos Oiko