The SPD parliamentary group advocates lowering the voting age in local elections in Hesse to 16 years.
“At 14, you are of religious and criminal age in Germany,” said Parliamentary Managing Director Günter Rudolph on Tuesday in Wiesbaden at the presentation of a corresponding draft law by the Social Democrats.
At the age of 16, many young people were earning their own money, for which they paid social security contributions and, in many cases, taxes, for example during their training.
"So young people under 18 are active members of our society."
Lowering the municipal voting age to 16 years is an important signal for more opportunities to participate, explained Rudolph. “Being able to have a say means strengthening the relationship to one's own community, one's own city and those who shape the city as political representatives.” Being able to participate in decisions through elections is also an instrument for curbing disenchantment with politics among young people.