Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2000

Switzerland participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2000 with the song "La vita cos'è?" written by Bernie Staub and Thomas Marin. The song was performed by Jane Bogaert. The Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR idée suisse returned to the Eurovision Song Contest after a one-year absence following their relegation from 1999 as one of the six countries with the least average points over the preceding five contests. The Swiss entry for the 2000 contest in Stockholm, Sweden was selected through a national final organised by SRG SSR idée suisse. Six entries performed during the national final on 29 January 2000 where a combination of jury voting and public voting selected "La vita cos'è?" performed by Jane Bogaert as the winner.

Switzerland competed in the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 13 May 2000. Performing during the show in position 16, Switzerland placed twentieth out of the 24 participating countries, scoring 14 points.

Background
Prior to the 2000 Contest, Switzerland had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest forty-two times since its first entry in 1956. Switzerland is noted for having won the first edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Refrain" performed by Lys Assia. Their second and, to this point, most recent victory was achieved in 1988 when Canadian singer Céline Dion won the contest with the song "Ne partez pas sans moi". In 1998, Switzerland placed last failing to earn any points with the song "Lass ihn" performed by Gunvor.

The Swiss national broadcaster, SRG SSR idée suisse, broadcasts the event within Switzerland and organises the selection process for the nation's entry. Switzerland has selected their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest through both national finals and internal selections in the past. Between 1994 and 1997, the Swiss entry was internally selected for the competition. In 1998, the broadcaster opted to organize a national final in order to select the Swiss entry, a selection procedure that continued for their 2000 entry.

National final
The national final that selected Switzerland's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2000 took place on 29 January 2000 at the Discoteca Prince of the Lugano Casino, hosted by Matteo Pelli and was televised on SF 2 with German commentary by Sandra Studer, TSI 1 and TSR 1 with French commentary by Jean-Marc Richard. Six candidate songs, selected in November 1999 by a jury panel consisting of music and media experts among 30 entries shortlisted by representatives of the three broadcasters in Switzerland: the Swiss-German broadcaster Schweizer Fernsehen der deutschen und rätoromanischen Schweiz (SF DRS), the Swiss-French broadcaster Télévision Suisse Romande (TSR) and the Swiss-Italian broadcaster Radiotelevisione svizzera (RSI) from over 100 received during an open submission for entries, were performed and the combination of regional televoting (2/3) and the votes of an expert jury (1/3) selected "La vita cos'è?" performed by Jane Bogaert as the winner. Among the members of the jury were Jacques Huwiler (journalist TSR) and Carol Rich (singer, Swiss Eurovision contestant in 1987).

During the national final, the jury and televoting results were wrongly presented due to technical problems, while the televoting results of Italian-speaking Switzerland were not announced due to a collapse of the voting lines. The results were revised shortly after the show.

At Eurovision
According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the bottom six countries in the 1999 contest competed in the final on 13 May 2000. On 21 November 1999, an allocation draw was held which determined the running order and Switzerland was set to perform in position 16, following the entry from Germany and before the entry from Croatia. Among the backing vocalists that joined Jane Bogaert on stage for her performance was Al Bano who previously represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest 1976 and 1985, performing in a duet with Romina Power on both occasions. Switzerland finished in twentieth place with 14 points.

In Switzerland, the contest was aired on the three broadcasters that form SRG SSR idée suisse. 1991 Swiss Eurovision Song Contest entrant Sandra Studer provided German commentary on SF 2, Jean-Marc Richard provided French commentary on TSR 1, while Jonathan Tedesco provided Italian commentary on TSI 1. The Swiss spokesperson, who announced the Swiss votes during the show, was Astrid Von Stockar.

Voting
Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Switzerland and awarded by Switzerland in the contest. The nation awarded its 12 points to Germany in the contest.