Germany is allowing 16- to 17-year-olds to vote in European elections, the country’s first

Germany will allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in European elections on June 9 for the first time. It is one of the few countries on the old continent that does this to the greatest satisfaction of all concerned.

“I can’t wait to vote,” Marie said in a very enthusiastic tone. “It’s still funny,” Laura continues. These first-year students in bilingual classes at the Einstein High School in Kehl, a small German town bordering the French city of Strasbourg, are 16 and 17 years old, respectively.

Like all other voters, these teenagers began to receive election materials and discuss politics and society in class. “First we talked about European elections, how we vote, and then we talked about local elections,” said Julie.

It should be noted that the municipal elections will be held on the same day as the European elections, elections in which since 2014 young people aged 16 and 17 can participate in this country.

A local hook is a good way to get young people interested in politics, said Christina Combrouze, who teaches this course to this target group.

In Marie’s opinion, it is legitimate to allow 16-17 year olds to vote. “It’s our future, though,” “and now we have to act on certain issues like the environment,” says Emma.