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In the European elections on June 9th, young people aged 16 and over are allowed to vote in Germany for the first time. What to expect?
Berlin – The new regulation is a milestone: Because that Voting age from 18 to 16 years was reduced, this time almost 65 million from Germany are at the European elections eligible to vote – almost 3.5 million more than five years ago. The proportion of 16 and 17 year olds among eligible voters is around two percent.
Germany is one of the few countries where… Participate minors in voting may. According to the EUParliament from August 2023, this is otherwise only possible in Austria, Belgium, Malta and Greece. The voting age in Greece is 17. In total, there are almost 360 million eligible voters living in the EU.
Having the opportunity to participate in democracy as early as possible will “ultimately reduce disenchantment with politics,” said the chairman of the Baden-Württemberg State Student Advisory Council, Joshua Meisel (19), to the news agency dpa.
Survey on the European elections: This is what young people say about voting from the age of 16
According to youth researcher Klaus Hurrelmann from Berlin's Hertie School, studies show that young people are very pro-Europe. In the European Parliament's Eurobarometer survey, 91 percent of 15 to 24 year olds said that taking part in the European elections was important to them.
Hurrelmann is convinced that young people as young as 14 are able to assess what will happen in an election. At the age of 16 you can express your voting preference.
European elections on TikTok and Co. – AfD particularly active
What are the numbers specifically for Bavaria? According to the information, around 22,000 of the 818,000 first-time voters here will be 16 and 17 year olds. All people with EU citizenship who are 16 years old by election day and have been living in a member state of the European Union for at least three months are eligible to vote in the European elections.
Social media plays an important role in this. The parties would also have to serve this before the European elections. The AfD uses social media particularly heavily to reach young people with their messages. However, current surveys for the European elections see the Union as the strongest force.
Before the European elections: election simulation for young people
Parallel to the European elections, the 2024 junior election will also take place on June 9th. Students in grades 7 to 13 simulate the election. According to the information, every third school will take part in the election simulation. The project has been offering political education for over 20 years and is supported by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs and the Federal Agency for Civic Education. (frs with dpa and AFP)
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