Federal Councillor Albert Rösti sees Eurovision Song Contest as an opportunity
Published: Thursday, Jul 11th 2024, 15:10
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Media Minister Albert Rösti sees the Eurovision Song Contest as an important opportunity for Switzerland and political opposition to it as ideology. Rösti's department confirmed corresponding statements by the Bernese Federal Councillor in the Tamedia newspapers on Thursday.
According to the written statement from Rösti's department, hosting this international event offers Switzerland the opportunity to present itself to both Europe and the world.
In addition, the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) opens up significant economic opportunities through tourism, he added. At an event in Kandersteg BE, Rösti told the Tamedia newspapers that he could understand the concerns that so much taxpayers' money should flow into the event. Perhaps private sponsors could get involved.
The Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) went on to say that the question of whether the federal government would share the costs could only be assessed on the basis of specific inquiries. As part of this assessment, the question of which administrative unit would provide support and to what extent would also be clarified.
Following the Young SVP, the Taxpayers' Association in Zurich also launched a referendum against the ESC loan last Wednesday. Meanwhile, the EDU demanded that all loans for the implementation of the ESC be put to a popular vote. There are also threats of referendums in the city and canton of Bern.
Several Swiss cities are bidding to host the ESC. They are Basel, Bern - together with Biel - Zurich and Geneva. The ESC 2025 will take place in Switzerland.
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