When Swiss singer Nemo clinched victory at Eurovision 2024 with 'The Code', Switzerland earned the right to host the 69th edition the following year. However, a petition initiated by the ultra-conservative Federal Democratic Union of Switzerland (EDU) party, which garnered sufficient signatures, necessitated a referendum on the Basel-Stadt canton’s Grand Council’s decision to allocate up to CHF35 million (€37.5 million) in public funds for Eurovision 2025. The EDU vehemently opposed the funding, expressing concerns that the event would tarnish Basel’s image. Board member Philippe Karoubi condemned the contest for featuring what he termed “blasphemous performances,” and argued that the competition had been “completely instrumentalised to promote ideologies” such as “wokeism” and trans rights. Among those targeted by the EDU’s criticism was Ireland’s Bambie Thug, a standout performer from this year’s show, who was branded “occult” and “Satanic” despite her more Harry Potter-inspired persona. Nonetheless, the majority of Basel residents remained unmoved by this religiously motivated opposition campaign. After more than two weeks of mail voting, Basel residents validated the funding for Eurovision 2025. The final tally revealed that 38,186 voters, representing 66.57% of the total, supported the funding, with a turnout of 57%. In light of this resounding endorsement, Basel will unquestionably host Eurovision next year at the St-Jakobshalle. Had the majority voted against, the funding would have been halted, and the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation could have disqualified Basel from hosting the event, as reported by the newspaper bz Basel. The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to take place at the St. Jakobshalle indoor arena, with semi-finals slated for 13 and 15 May, and the final on 17 May.
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