Highlights: Belgium: from 16 years old, we will vote in the next European elections. It is a first in the Kingdom to see minor voters taking their place in the voting booth. They number exactly 268,147, or 2.9% of the electorate. The voting arrangements for 16-17 year olds have changed several times. Initially optional and on a voluntary basis, it finally became compulsory ten days ago, after a ruling from the Belgian Constitutional Court, as for all Belgian citizens. The difference is that minors will not be punished if they do not vote.

New in Belgium, it will be possible to vote from the age of 16 for the European elections. It is a first in the Kingdom to see minor voters taking their place in the voting booth. And not…

Reporting

Belgium: from 16 years old, we will vote in the next European elections

New in Belgium, it will be possible to vote from the age of 16 for the European elections. It is a first in the Kingdom to see minor voters taking their place in the voting booth. And no exception for these new voters: as is the case for most elections in Belgium, it will also be obligatory for them to vote.

Listen - 01:18

It is a first in the Belgian kingdom to see minor voters taking their place in the voting booth for these 2024 European elections. iStock/andriano_cz

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Brussels,

Jean-Jacques Héry

The Constitutional Court of

Belgium

decreed it around ten days ago: minors will be able to vote from the age of 16 in the next European elections. They number exactly 268,147, or 2.9% of the electorate. Among them, Maissane, who is 16 years old. Soon, she will receive a summons to go vote. The secondary 5 student, the equivalent of the first in France, admits to being a little lost: “

For the European elections, right? It's obligatory, right? It's the beginning of June, right? We're not too informed at school. If it wasn't mandatory, I wouldn't have gone to vote.

“

It also prepares us for later
”

Enough to make his sister Méline react, not at all agreeing: “

It also prepares us for later to be interested in politics. Little by little, I’m happy that my voice counts, for once

.” Tom carefully weighs his words before expressing his doubts: “

We're not mature enough, I think. At 16, you don't have enough experience to vote. But I will go and vote, because we have to!

We can clearly hear that there is some confusion among these new voters. The voting arrangements for 16-17 year olds have changed several times. Initially optional and on a voluntary basis, it finally became compulsory ten days ago, after a ruling from the Belgian Constitutional Court, as for all Belgian citizens.

No sanctions

The difference is that minors will not be punished if they do not vote. An implementation and a decision that came too late, believes Belgian MEP Saskia Bricmont of the Ecolo party: “

But on the other hand, it allows a larger number of young people to become aware of this right which opens up to them. This is not necessarily the case for everyone yet

.” And the MEP hopes that these European elections will mark a first step towards a more global enlargement and rejuvenation of the electoral body.

Belgium: from 16 years old, we will vote in the next European elections

Belgium: from 16 years old, we will vote in the next European elections

“

It also prepares us for later
”

No sanctions

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest

Belgium: from 16 years old, we will vote in the next European elections

Belgium: from 16 years old, we will vote in the next European elections

“ It also prepares us for later ”

No sanctions

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest

“

It also prepares us for later
”