Geneva, both the canton and the city, are licking their wounds after Basel was announced the winner to host the Eurovision Song Contest next year.
Geneva was hoping for the event as it could have meant an injection of CHF 230m into the economy.
Thierry Apothéloz, head of the Department of Social Cohesion, says he thinks it wasn’t just one thing that cost Geneva the bid, but a series of small things.
It’s also though that a possible threat of a referendum launched by the Swiss People’s Party impacted the decision.
Basel has already outlined what it plans. It will be held at Parc Saint-Jacques, home of FC Basel.
Side events will be organised and a Eurovision Village will be set up on the premises used by Art Basel.
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