Overview

• The petition, launched by UNICEF and published by Ouest-France, seeks to lower the voting age to 16 for France's 2026 municipal elections.
• Thirty-two mayors, including Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and Lyon Mayor Grégory Doucet, have signed the petition, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive democracy.
• Proponents argue the initiative aligns with the International Convention on the Rights of the Child and could boost long-term civic engagement among youth.
• Examples from Austria, Malta, and Greece, where the voting age has been lowered, are cited to demonstrate increased political interest and participation among young voters.
• Teenagers express mixed views, with some feeling unprepared to vote at 16, while others see it as an opportunity to have their voices heard in local governance.