Swiss conservative party submits signatures for referendum to block Eurovision 2025

The Swiss Federal Democratic Union (EDU), an ultra-conservative political party, has submitted signatures to initiate a referendum aiming to block the hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel from May 13 to 17, 2025.

The EDU seeks a vote on November 24 regarding the CHF 37.5 million ($43.3 million) loan recently approved by the Basel cantonal parliament for organizing the ESC 2025. On Saturday, the party submitted 4,203 signatures for the referendum, surpassing the minimum requirement of 2,000 certified signatures due by October 26. These signatures will now be verified by the Basel State Chancellery.

On September 11, Basel’s cantonal parliament approved the loan for Eurovision 2025 with 87 votes in favor, 4 against, and 4 abstentions. However, the EDU is the only political party opposing this funding. Given its limited presence in Basel City, it had to rely on support from outside the canton to gather sufficient signatures.

The small Christian party had previously announced it would initiate a referendum against public funding for what it described as a “propaganda event.”

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Source: swissinfo