Eurovision Young SVP Geneva threatens referendum against ESC organization

The Young SVP Geneva wants to oppose the possible staging of the ESC 2025 in Geneva. It has announced a referendum or an initiative should the city be awarded the contract for the event.

"While many important areas need financial support, it is not justifiable to spend millions on such a controversial event," the Young SVP announced in a communiqué late on Friday evening. The fundamental opposition to the public financing of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) had already been decided at the general assembly in mid-July.

The Young SVP Geneva also expressed concern about the use of public funds to support events that are used as a stage for polemical and political statements.

"This competition was supposed to be a music show, but it has become an open grandstand for all political claims, not just woke ones," Jason Detraz, president of the Young SVP Geneva, is quoted as saying in the press release. Geneva, together with Basel, is still in the running to host the competition in 2025.