16-17 year olds allowed to vote in European elections

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Video length: 2 min.

France 3

Article written by

J. Gasparutto, M.-C. Ide, J. Wittenberg, V. Voros, F. Caër, B. Catrice – France 3

France Televisions

For the European elections of 2024, Belgians aged 16 and 17 will be able to choose their deputies and go to vote. A first evaluation, which should be extended to other polls.

It will be possible to vote from the age of 16 in Belgium, from 2024, for the European elections. In front of a high school in Brussels, the students are more or less excited. “It feels good to feel that adults want our voice”says a student. “I admit that if I had to start with an election, I would prefer the local ones”comments another.

Bringing young people closer to politics

The government wants to bring young people closer to politics. The Minister of the Interior, Annelies Verlinden, promotes it. “We are sending a clear message: we also want to hear your voices and your opinions”, she said. The associations, they believe that without a broad awareness campaign, young people will not vote. 300,000 young people are concerned in Belgium. The government will carry out an initial assessment, before extending it to other elections.


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