City next to Germany, bottom left (5)

I believe the answer is:

basel

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'city' is the definition.
(Basel is an example)

'bottom left' is the wordplay.
'bottom' becomes 'base' (base is a kind of bottom).
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'base'+'l'='BASEL'

'next to germany' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for basel that I've seen before include "In European city" , "Swiss city" , "City of Switzerland" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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