Cantonal votes BS TREND: Clear majority in favor of cantonal ESC entry in Basel-Stadt

In Basel-Stadt, a clear majority in favor of the canton's contribution to the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 emerged on Sunday. After the postal votes were counted, 66.4 percent were in favor of spending CHF 37.5 million, as announced by the State Chancellery.

This amount is primarily intended for the accompanying program of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2025 in Basel. Without this amount, the world's largest music competition could only be held in a reduced form next May, according to SRG. The vote came about after the EDU launched a referendum against the decision of the Grand Council.

A "no" vote is looming on voting rights for foreigners. According to the interim result, almost 56.1 percent rejected the corresponding constitutional amendment. This provides for people with a C residence permit and at least five years' residence in the country to be granted the right to vote at cantonal level.

The third cantonal proposal, the "Initiative for more musical diversity", also showed a clear "no" trend. According to interim results, this was rejected by 64.8 percent. The referendum demands that independent musicians receive one third of the cantonal funding for music each year.

In Basel-Stadt, experience shows that postal votes account for well over 90 percent of the vote.

SDA