Residents of the city of Basel in northwestern Switzerland voted on Sunday to allocate nearly $40 million for the organization of the Eurovision contest in 2025.
According to the results of the referendum, 66.6% of voters supported the use of taxpayer funds for the event. The allocated funding will ensure the staging of the television show with its traditional elements. Without this funding, Eurovision 2025 would be limited to the main show, without additional public events.
The funds will be used for organizing accompanying programs, as well as for providing accommodation and additional public transportation for visitors, among other initiatives. Basel expects to earn around 60 million Swiss francs (about 67 million dollars) from the event.
Next year, Switzerland will host Eurovision after Swiss singer Nemo won the 2024 contest with the song “The Code.”
