Brussels (Brussels Morning) – Belgium is set to engage its youth in the upcoming European elections by allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote for the first time. This move aims to boost democratic participation among young people. Belgium will elect 22 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), with 270,000 teens eligible to vote. Additionally, the Brussels Parliament passed a resolution to enhance voting rights for non-Belgians in the Brussels Capital Region, aiming to increase their participation in local and potentially regional elections.
In a landmark move, Belgium will allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in the upcoming European elections, which will take place from June 6 to 9. This initiative is part of a broader effort to engage young people in the democratic process. Voters will elect 22 Members of the European Parliament, an increase from 21 in 2019. The Brussels Parliament has also recently passed a resolution to expand voting rights for non-Belgians, further promoting inclusivity and democratic participation within the region.
Belgium Lowers Voting Age to 16 for Upcoming EU Elections
For the first time in the country, 16 and 17 year olds will be allowed to vote in the poll which runs from 6 to 9 June. It is seen as an innovative move by and EU member state to engage young people in the electoral process. Voters in Belgium will elect 22 MEPs, up from 21 in 2019.13 are from the Dutch speaking region, eight from the French and one from the German. Speaking earlier this year, EU Commission vice president Margaritis Schinas said, “Young Europeans will become a wall of democracy” in the elections. It is estimated some 270,000 teens in Belgium will be able to vote in the EU wide poll for the first time.
In the 2019 elections, 50.6 per cent of eligible citizens voted and the EU parliament wants to see as good, if not better, turnout again this time. The general voting age in the EU is 18 but Belgium joins Malta, Austria, Greece and Germany in allowing those under 18 to vote. Elsewhere, the Brussels Parliament recently passed a resolution about the voting rights of non-Belgians in the Brussels Capital Region. Commenting, Alain Hutchinson, Brussels Commissioner for Europe and International Organizations, told this site that he hopes the next government, due to take effect after next week’s federal elections in Belgium, will implement them.
Belgium Empowers Youth and Non-Belgians in Upcoming Elections
As the government’s Commissioner responsible for ‘international’ relations in the Region, he said, “I am delighted that our the Brussels Parliament has passed this resolution concerning the presence of non-Belgians in our Region.” The resolution, he noted, addresses “two major democratic issues” facing “international Brusselers” who make up a third of the population of the Brussels-Capital Region: boosting their participation in local elections, where they already have the right to vote, and giving them the right to vote at regional level.
He said, “These non-Belgians are an essential part of our region’s society and workforce. It is clear that they want to have their say on the political decisions that affect their daily lives. They do have things to say and a point of view to express.” Turning to October’s municipal elections, he said, “It is important that parliamentarians have acknowledged that the Region and its municipalities must do more to explain to non-Belgians how and why they should vote in municipal elections.
“Indeed, turnout at local elections remains low, although the figures show a positive trend. I don’t think this reflects a lack of interest, but rather confusion and reluctance due to information that is often insufficient and late.” “In the long term, I hope that the Region’s international communities will have the right to vote in regional elections. But this year, I urge them to make use of the vote they already have in the local elections.”
