Swiss direct democracy is Eurovision’s latest challenge

As Switzerland prepares to name the host city for next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, political and financial wrangles have entered the fray – par for the course, experts say, though the Swiss system of direct democracy poses unique challenges. In a 1996 episode of the Irish comedy series Father Ted, two hapless priests decide to write a tune for the upcoming “Eurosong” (i.e. Eurovision) contest. Despite being one of the worst songs in history, fictional or otherwise, My Lovely Horse is chosen as Ireland’s entry – and it royally flops. The show was based on real-life speculation that the country had tried to engage in Eurovision self-sabotage; with four victories in the 1990s, it was becoming costly to stage the event every year, the rumours went (the winning nation always hosts the contest the following year). For Switzerland, which won this year’s event, it’s too late for such drastic action. In May, artist Nemo took home the trophy with what was widely hailed as a good song; as ...