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8mo ago

Spain Considers Lowering Voting Age to 16 for European Elections

The draft Youth and Intergenerational Justice law proposes a phased approach to youth enfranchisement, starting with EU elections, but faces political and procedural hurdles.

Cierre de un colegio electoral en las últimas elecciones.
La ministra de Juventud e Infancia, Sira Rego, junto a la portavoz del Gobierno, Pilar Alegría, y el ministro de Presidencia y Justicia, Félix Bolaños, en rueda de prensa tras un Consejo de Ministros.
Elecciones generales.

Overview

  • The Ministry of Youth and Childhood has drafted a law to lower the voting age to 16, initially limited to European Parliament elections to expedite approval.
  • The proposal requires an amendment to the General Electoral Regime Law (LOREG) and is currently under inter-ministerial review, with other ministries expected to contribute revisions.
  • Approximately 110,000 youths aged 16 and 17 in the Valencian Community would gain voting rights if the measure is approved, according to INE data.
  • The initiative aligns with EU recommendations and mirrors similar reforms in countries like Austria, Germany, and Belgium, though it remains politically divisive in Spain.
  • Concurrent Interior Ministry reforms propose mandatory electoral debates and greater transparency in polling data, advancing separately from the voting age proposal.