Swiss Christian political party oppose Eurovision in Basel

The Federal Democratic Union (EDU), a Swiss Christian-conservative political party, is opposing the use of taxpayer money to fund the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Basel next May.

Dubbed 'a propaganda show' by the EDU, the international singing competition has been criticised by the group as promoting blasphemy, Satanism, and antisemitism in recent years.

The EDU, which holds two seats on the Swiss National Council, advocates state order based on Biblical values and is guided by thinking, speaking, and acting in faith in Jesus Christ and trusting in the Bible as God’s word, according to the party’s statutes.

In their 'Stop ESC in Basel' campaign, the party has singled out Irish artist Bambie Thug, a contestant in this year’s competition, as an example of their concerns with the contest. Thug, a non-binary singer who has coined the term ‘ouija pop’ to describe their music, self-identifies as a witch, referring to their fans as 'the coven.' In a recent interview on The Late Late Show, Thug said that they practise sigil magic and that witchcraft is their 'personal therapy.'

At the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmӧ, Sweden, Thug performed on top of a pentagram wearing horns and other occult imagery, a trademark of their brand. Thug also gifted last year’s first non-binary winner, Switzerland’s Nemo, with a crown of thorns during the final.

'Various artists are increasingly openly displaying occult and satanic messages and symbols at the ESC,' says the EDU via their website. 'Such cults that are harmful to young people must not be co-financed with taxpayers' money.'

The EDU also cites concerns about anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli sentiment after the pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Malmӧ and the outcry against Israeli performer, Eden Golan, during this year’s contest. The Independent reported that there were boos and shouts of 'free Palestine' during Golan’s performance, and the singer later went to Instagram to talk about the fear she felt spending time outside of her hotel over the course competition. 'It’s sad that we have returned to a time where a Jewish Israeli woman has to hide parts of her identity to avoid being harmed,' she wrote.

On October 26, the EDU submitted more than 4,000 signatures for a referendum on whether the canton of Basel-Stadt should contribute 35 million Swiss francs (£31 million) of tax funds to the event. Garnering twice as many signatures than the 2,000 required for a vote is a 'strong signal' of public support for the Stop ESC in Basel campaign, says the EDU. The referendum is set for November 24.