Credits: picture alliance/dpa
Spotlight
Gen Z going to the EU ballots
Generation Z – born between the late 1990s and early 2010s – is the latest generation that is old enough to vote. While the oldest Gen Zers may have voted in EU elections before, many of them will be able to use their democratic right in EU elections for the very first time in June.
Under current EU law, member states are free to set their national minimum voting age for the European elections. In some EU member states it is lower than the traditional voting age of 18 – among those are Austria, Belgium, Germany, Malta (all 16) and Greece (17).
With June fast approaching, politicians and experts alike see challenges in getting young voters to actually go to the polls. This EU Elections Spotlight looks at the motivation and likelihood of young voters to participate in the elections, as well as the challenges that lie ahead.
The EU Elections Spotlight Gen Z going to the EU ballots’’ is available in English, German, French and Spanish.
Video: young voters key in the 2024 EU elections
More than 400 million EU citizens are eligible to vote in the upcoming EU elections in June. A recent Eurobarometer survey showed how likely millions of young voters are to go to the polls and what issues they consider as important. In this video, the European Newsroom explores how communication professionals, youth organisations and young people view the importance of young people in the upcoming vote. Speakers include Jaume Duch Guillot, the European Parliament’s Director-General for Communication and spokesperson, Jesper Olsson, a candidate for the Swedish Greens for the European Elections, and Rareș Voicu, a Board Member of the European Youth Forum.
What’s at stake for young EU voters?
Gen Zers can vote in EU elections for the first time – but will they?
The clock in the countdown to the 2024 European Parliament elections is ticking. Millions of young EU citizens will be eligible to vote. New data shows the likelihood of them actually going to the polls – and what issues they care about most.
The big challenge: mobilising young people for the European elections
In an interview with the Spanish news agency EFE in February, Jaume Duch Guillot, Director-General of Communication and spokesperson for the European Parliament, talked about the importance of getting young people to vote in the 2024 EU elections and the challenges of getting them to go to the ballot box.
Reaching young EU voters through social media
Social media is one of the most popular places for young people to be socially and politically active, and politicians are increasingly exploring ways to engage with young voters online ahead of the EU elections.
Gen Zers can vote in EU elections for the first time – but will they?
The clock in the countdown to the 2024 European Parliament elections is ticking. Millions of young EU citizens will be eligible to vote. New data shows the likelihood of them actually going to the polls – and what issues they care about most.
The big challenge: mobilising young people for the European elections
In an interview with the Spanish news agency EFE in February, Jaume Duch Guillot, Director-General of Communication and spokesperson for the European Parliament, talked about the importance of getting young people to vote in the 2024 EU elections and the challenges of getting them to go to the ballot box.
Reaching young EU voters through social media
Social media is one of the most popular places for young people to be socially and politically active, and politicians are increasingly exploring ways to engage with young voters online ahead of the EU elections.