Belgian teenagers aged 16 or older can vote in next June’s European elections without prior registration, and it will not be compulsory for this age group, unlike in the rest of the country.
Following a decision by the Federal Council of Ministers on Friday, the move to allow young people to vote dates back to 2022, rendering Belgium the fourth European country to widen its electorate.
Initially, potential young voters were required to register in advance but this stipulation was subsequently repealed by the Constitutional Court.
This court decision prompted the Federal Government to remove the registration requirement for young voters in the European elections. Unlike adults, these young voters are not mandated to participate in the elections.
Minister Verlinden. Credit: Belga
Belgian Interior Minister, Annelies Verlinden (CD&V), justified the move by stating that not all 16 or 17-year-olds are politically active. "Those who feel sufficiently informed and wish to vote may do so, while others may choose to wait," she noted.
Verlinden added that this decision offers an opportunity to illustrate to young people that their voices matter, they are being heard, and they are important contributors to building our democracy.
The initiative is particularly dear to the hearts of the Belgian Greens, who secured its inclusion in the governing agreement. Vice Prime Minister Georges Gilkinet, a member of the French-speaking Greens party, Ecolo, welcomed the decision.
He stated that a modern, vibrant democracy is inclusive, reminding that young people will be the first to be impacted by political decisions that will influence their future.
“In my opinion, this is the first step towards generalisation. We should further extend voting rights to youths aged 16 for municipal, regional and legislative elections,” he added.
