Satisfaction among ESC opponents in the city of Berne
Published: Friday, Jul 19th 2024, 11:10
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Opponents of the ESC in the city of Berne were pleased with the SRG's preliminary decision. Basel and Geneva are far more suitable locations for hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
"Wonderful", commented city councillor Simone Machado (Green-Alternative Party) on the end of Bern and Biel's bid. Together with the SVP, the EDU and the citizens' movement Aufrecht Bern, her party had threatened a referendum against the city of Bern's contribution of CHF 7 million.
They feared weeks of inconvenience and restrictions for the population due to the enormous security precautions. In addition, the event contradicted the city's efforts to improve climate protection, and it was inconveniently timed between the BEA spring trade fair and the Women's European Football Championship.
The contribution was also controversial in Bern's city parliament. It was approved by 34 votes to 22 with 14 abstentions. The SP, Center Party and FDP helped the bill to a breakthrough.
Knacknuss Festhalle
Former city councillor Alexander Feuz (SVP) reacted "with great relief" to the preliminary decision, as he told the Keystone-SDA news agency. Nobody wants to hold a wedding in a hotel that has not even been completed yet.
Bern's bid envisaged holding the event in the new festival hall on the Bernexpo site. This is still under construction and will not be completed until the end of March 2025, just a few weeks before the ESC.
©Keystone/SDA
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