Nemo will first have to go through the semi-finals on Thursday
Alma Bengtsson / EBU
Switzerland has not been this close to winning Eurovision for almost forty years and the coronation of Celine Dion in 1988. The chances of seeing Nemo with his song “The Code” emerge victorious in the votes on Saturday May 11 in Malmö, in Sweden, are indeed very real, according to bookmakers. And therefore, for the SSR, to organize the largest song competition in the world here, in 2025.
A prospect that does not please everyone. The utility is expected to spend several million to host the event, while the people will soon vote on an initiative to reduce the cost of the radio and television license fee. For conservative circles, “Eurovision has transformed into a vector for promoting globalist or progressive ideologies” (excerpt from an inquiry filed by the Valais UDC Jean-Luc Addor in 2019).
But the idea here is not to advance the sums that would be put on the table — and the benefits that a city could derive from it. We wanted to know if high-ranking people could convince Nemo to screw up his performance, if votes could be rigged. To avoid organizing Eurovision, can Switzerland sabotage its chances of winning when the time comes?
The work accomplished
“The delegation is doing everything to win,” assures Jean-Marc Richard, who will comment on Eurovision for the 31st time on RTS. No one at the SSR is looking to lose. Not after everything that has been done, the immense work that has been accomplished in recent years.”
In 2019, a new internal selection process was introduced. The songs are evaluated by a jury of national and international experts and by a jury of the public, a bit like Eurovision. “This process has allowed Switzerland to return to success in recent years, and it is a fantastic development,” explains Yves Schifferle, the head of the Swiss delegation, who, a few hours before the big evening, no longer wants to comment. more of a possible victory.
“Urban legends”
In the history of Eurovision, however, there are gray areas. As in 2003, when the Belgian jury was accused of having rigged the votes and giving 12 points to Turkey for not having to organize the Competition. Last year, a former boss of France 2 revealed that he was “under orders to lose” when he was director of the variety, games and entertainment unit of the public channel at the end of the 90s.
“Urban legends, according to Nicolas Tanner, consultant on RTS and co-author of the book “The Eurovision saga” (Éditions Favre, 2017). Everything is under the control of a bailiff.” And to explain that if television stations do not have the means to organize an edition, they do not participate in Eurovision. This is also the case this year for many Balkan countries.
Bad decisions
Nicolas Tanner thinks that it is by becoming favorites that delegations made bad decisions. He cites Switzerland with DJ Bobo, very well placed among the bookmakers before the semi-final in 2007. “His live performance was a bad choice.”
Regarding Nemo and the final victory, the specialist warns, however: “The predictions have never been so tight.” Jean-Marc Richard agrees: “It will be complicated to win the public vote. Switzerland has no communities abroad. Switzerland will be in the top three or four, but it’s not yet won.”
Remember that before the big evening on Saturday, Nemo must still qualify during the second semi-final, Thursday (to be followed live on lematin.ch). Which should just be a formality.
