When Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the date of the 2019 federal election this morning, he sparked intense discussions among the voting public.
[jwplayer 82lS4qwO]
We are, of course, talking about Australian Eurovision fans, who were left scrambling when Morrison revealed the election will overlap with the song competition’s finale in Israel on Saturday May 18.
Across social media, local fans of the annual pop extravaganza have expressed concern the election’s results may not be finalised when the contest airs locally in the early hours of Sunday May 19.
It’s official the Australian Election will be held on Saturday 18 May. The results will come in Saturday night, hopefully it’s a quick result as the Eurovision Grand Final is VERY early Sunday morning. #AusVotes19 #Auspol
— Aussievision (@aussievisionnet) April 10, 2019
“the election and eurovision clash on may 18!” pic.twitter.com/PdOgrB419w
— Jennine (@jennineak) April 10, 2019
An election over Eurovision weekend, hmmm? pic.twitter.com/WgW5magzZm
— @robcoco@aus.social (@RobCoco) April 10, 2019
Australia holding an election on the same day as the Eurovision grand final is downright disrespectful. https://t.co/J4gRKk7SGV
— Neil MacInnes (@Neilis2cool) April 10, 2019
Eurovision and the federal election on the same day. A selection of second-raters pulling out highly questionable performances while the great unwashed pick the least worst ones….and Eurovision!
— Tim Callanan (@MrTimCallanan) April 10, 2019
ScoMo calls an election on the same day as #Eurovision.
It’s downright insensitive and borderline homophobic I tell you! 😂👯♂️💃🏼🏳️🌈
— is_author_jack (@developerjack) April 10, 2019
Election party? Or Eurovision party? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/BBNMXpdJLJ
— Lisa Wheildon (she/her) (@DrLisaWheildon) April 10, 2019
Despite the time difference – poll booths will close nationwide before the contestants take to the stage in Tel Aviv – some fans have suggested applying for postal votes to have their say way ahead of the broadcast.
Of course, Aussies heading over for the event will have to submit postal votes.
Some fans of the event have eyed an opportunity among the chaos. News Breakfast presenter Virginia Trioli suggested a potential compromise: simply electing Australia’s Eurovision 2019 representative Kate Miller-Heidke as prime minister.
“@kmillerheidke for Prime Minister!”
IF the election is called for May 18 (as is widely tipped) it will go up against the #Eurovision final.
If that happens, @LaTrioli has already cast her vote… pic.twitter.com/yhGMYjbRoC
— News Breakfast (@BreakfastNews) April 10, 2019
This is hardly the only politically-tinged aspect of the competition, of course. In addition to the bloc voting and dramatic snubs we have come to expect from Eurovision, this year’s competition has been criticised activists who don’t believe Israel should host a celebration of pop culture while denying the sovereignty of Palestine.
Unless something drastic happens, it appears Aussie Eurovision fans will have no choice but to watch the competition while the final federal election counts take place. It’s legitimately hard to tell which competition will be more dramatic.
