Zurich city parliament wants to bring the ESC to Zurich in 2025
Published: Wednesday, Jun 12th 2024, 23:00
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The Zurich city parliament has backed an ESC candidacy. It passed two motions on the subject on Wednesday. The city council must now examine how it could support the bid.
The two postulates differ slightly, but both want to see the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 (ESC) in Zurich. "We want to show that parliament is behind the event," said Marco Denoth (SP). The city council, which has not yet made a decision, should be given more support.
Mayor Corine Mauch (SP) was anything but reluctant. The city council is currently working intensively and "highly motivated" on the preparations for a bid. "There are many questions, we are clarifying all of them very seriously," she said. However, the city council had been "touched by the magic of Nemo".
Zurich can also party
In their proposal, the SP and GLP point to positive economic effects as well as image and advertising effects for the city. Zurich is best suited for major events and is also a diverse, united city, explained Denoth.
The FDP and Center/EPP parliamentary groups also emphasized the importance of private partners in their motion. Michael Schmid (FDP) spoke of one of the biggest shows ever. It fits in with the largest city in Switzerland: "Despite all the prejudices, Zurich can also party".
The SVP campaigned against the initiatives. Sebastian Zopfi called the motions a "coercion". His colleague Bernhard im Oberdorf spoke of a "purely chauvinistic" event.
Greens are divided
The Greens were divided. Because some council members are against major events, they decided to abstain from voting. The left-wing AL rejected the bourgeois proposal and abstained on the postulate from the SP and GLP.
The municipal council passed the SP and GLP postulate by 64 votes to 14 with 26 abstentions and that of the conservative parties by 38 votes to 28 with 37 abstentions.
Geneva and Basel have already announced their candidacy for the ESC. St. Gallen announced on Wednesday that it would not be applying.
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