Europe and, for the first time this year, Australia with Guy Sebastian and Tonight Again, count seventeen days left before the Eurovision Song Contest which will take place in Vienna, Austria.
As much as the contest was established in an effort to unify European nations after WWII, some ‘close’ groups that have formed throughout the years are dividing the public and contestants.
The eastern European countries, as well as the northern European are known to ‘treat’ their neigbouring contestants with 10 and 12 points.
Greece and Cyprus have been no exception to the sympathy voting game.
This year, prognostics for Greece aren’t optimistic, as most of its European creditors are disappointed by its financial policy.
Greece’s song once again reflects the country’s current situation via its lyrics.
Meanwhile, Australia is home to the third largest Greek population, including many Greek Cypriots, and its participation this year is fuelling even more scenarios on the strategic vote exchange.
The early betting wants the three countries exchanging their highest points, while Cyprus is making a comeback this year with John Karayiannis and his song One Thing I Should Have Done, which will give Greece a push.
Many comments on betting sites also claim that Greece secured its 12 points from Aphrodite’s island by choosing Cyprus-born Maria Elena Kyriakou to represent the country, with her ballad entitled One Last Breath.
The singer protests for a last breath, while Let Greece Breathe, an Australian solidarity campaign that ran last week in Melbourne, used some of her lyrics as a motto.
However, several European countries firmly oppose Australia taking part in the competition.