Basel annoyed at Zurich for not providing police for Eurovision

Ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest which will be held in Basel in May, the canton is appealing for police reinforcements from other cantons.

All have responded positively – except Zurich. 

It says it needs all its officers to handle its own security. It points out that many attending Eurovision will be staying in Zurich – and Eurovision themed events are also taking place in the city. 

Officials are also concerned about a risk of increased violence due to the participation of Israel. 

Basel is slightly annoyed by the response. It points out that it sends its officers to help when required across the country.

But hundreds of officers from across the country will be in Basel. Nearly 200 from French speaking cantons, a similar number from Eastern and Central parts – even 30 from Ticino. 

42,000 tickets for the event sold out in 22 minutes.

More from Bitesize News

  • Geneva could foot the G7 bill

    Geneva fears it will be left with the security bill from a G7 summit just across the border in Évian, according to 24 heures.

  • US NGO discovers Swiss child abuse cases

    Switzerland relies too heavily on an American NGO to detect child sexual abuse online, raising questions about the country's ability to protect children on its own.

  • French singer banned by Paleo

    The Paléo Festival in Nyon says it will no longer invite French singer Patrick Bruel, after a former volunteer accused him of inappropriate behaviour.

  • Cars going uninspected

    The cantons are struggling to keep up with mandatory vehicle inspections, leaving more than 550,000 checks overdue nationwide.

  • War may lead to rent rises

    Rents may rise again, says the bank Raiffeisen.

  • Not a heatwave, yet

    Summer has arrived, with temperatures climbing past 30 over the long weekend. Basel reached 31 and Sion hit 32.4, but MeteoSwiss, says this does not yet count as an official heatwave.

Download our app

  • Available on the App Store
  • Available on Google Play