The residents of Basel have approved the funding  loan to host the forthcoming Eurovision 2025 next May in a referendum last weekend.

Two thirds of the Basel residents gave the green light for the Eurovision 2025 funding. The Grand Council of the Basel Canton had approved  a resolution of circa 37.5 million CHF to fund the ESC 2025 hosting and side events last September.

Hereafter the Federal Democratic Union (EDU) collected circa 4,000 signatures to trigger a referendum against the Grand Council’s resolution regarding the ESC 2025 funding.

Last Sunday 66.6 %  (38,186 votes) of the Basel residents voted in favour of the ESC 2025 funding against 33.4% (19, 172) who voted against. Hence two thirds of the residents are in favour of the government of Basel funding the competition.

The said CHF 37.5 million loan will be used for the security, side events such as EuroClub, the Plus Arena at the St. Halle, the Eurovision venue St. Jakobshalle, city dressing, Eurovision Village, Eurovision Square, Opening Ceremony, Turquoise Carpet, Eurovision Street, side events etc.

Basel will be in the eyes of the world during the 2 Eurovision weeks when circa 40 delegations and competing acts, 1,200 journalists and thousands of fans land in the host city.

The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to be held on 13, 15 and 17 May in Basel, Switzerland at the St.Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland.

Source: SRF
Photo credit: SRF