Germany gives Swiss song contest hopefuls another chance
Swiss musicians have been given another chance to enter the 2001 Eurovision song contest. However, they would not be representing Switzerland, but its neighbour, Germany.
Germany has said it will grant one artist, or a group, the chance to enter the preliminary round which is scheduled for March 2 next year.
Under official rules, Switzerland has to take a year’s break from the competition as its last entrant, Jane Bogaert, only came 20th in this year’s contest.
Two years ago, the artist, Gunvor, did not manage to score a single point, while Michael von der Heide did not even make it beyond the preliminary round.
Germany will choose its Eurovision entry for 2001 via the Internet, according to Swiss public television. However, Swiss entrants will be the first in the history of the contest to be chosen via the World Wide Web.
Web surfers will have the chance to choose between three singers, at least two of whom have to be Swiss nationals.
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